Graham Potter upset next to an inset of David Sullivan watching on
(Credit: Imago)
Andrew Beharie
Mon 18 August 2025 11:45, UK
Graham Potter is under massive pressure at West Ham United.
After a solid pre-season tour in the United States, which saw victories over Everton and Bournemouth, West Ham were thrashed 3-0 by Sunderland on the opening day of the Premier League season.
Potter could be two games away from the sack at West Ham, as the Englishman has overseen just five Premier League victories since taking over in January.
Despite Karren Brady’s backing of Potter on TalkSPORT, the sack seems inevitable for the former Chelsea boss, but who could replace him?
Graham Potter sitting West Ham
Graham Potter is edging closer to the sack at West Ham (Credit: Imago)
Ruud Van Nistelrooy
Ruud Van Nistelrooy was a name that emerged as an option for West Ham when Julen Lopetegui was under pressure at the back end in 2024.
MORE WEST HAM STORIES
Van Nistelrooy has since been in charge of Leicester City, but his spell at the King Power Stadium was a complete disaster.
Leicester were relegated without a fight under the Dutchman, who only recorded four victories after taking over in November 2024, with two of those wins coming after their relegation was confirmed.
With such a stain on his resume after arriving as a promising young coach just a year ago, the Hammers may be best to steer away from the most realistic appointment.
Leicester manager Ruud van Nistelrooy
Ruud Van Nistelrooy endured a disastrous spell as Leicester manager (Credit: Imago)
Paulo Fonseca
Lyon boss Paulo Fonseca is another option West Ham could look to re-explore if Potter were to be sacked.
Fonseca was under consideration in January after Lopetegui’s sacking, before the Hammers chose Potter instead.
Meanwhile, the Portuguese coach has had a chaotic stint in France, being banned for nine months for confronting referee Benoit Millet in March.
He is set to return to management duties on 15 September, but with Lyon’s financial issues, he could look to jump ship.
West Ham
Paulo Fonseca is still serving a nine-month ban in France for confronting a referee (Credit: Imago)
Jose Mourinho
Jose Mourinho has been on West Ham’s shortlist numerous times as an ambitious candidate, but could he actually return to England with the Hammers?
Mourinho has been in charge of Fenerbahce since the start of last season after he was sacked by Roma, and has had his fair share of issues in Turkey, including insinuating that the Turkish FA and authorities were conspiring against him.
Club Win rate
Chelsea (1st spell) 70.8%
Chelsea (2nd spell) 59.8%
Manchester United 58.3%
Tottenham Hotspur 51.1%
Mourinho’s record in England is incredible
The legendary Portuguese manager still has his home in West London, and has always stated he wants to return to management in England one day.
It would be an ambitious attempt by the West Ham board, but not an impossible one.
Sign up for the West Ham Zone WhatsApp channel and turn on notifications to have all the latest, breaking West Ham United news sent straight to your phone.
Related Posts