Graham Potter is starting to feel the heat at West Ham. The Englishman has lost the support of the Hammers faithful and does not appear likely to receive the backing which he has publicly called for from the higher powers at the club.
Following their 3-0 defeat to newly-promoted Sunderland on the opening weekend of the season, West Ham followed that up with a 5-1 loss at home to Chelsea on Friday night. Despite taking the lead, the Hammers capitulated to ignite talk that they already appear destined for a relegation battle.
Although forking out on new arrivals is Potter’s priority over the coming week, the West Ham ownership may be weighing up a change of face in the London Stadium dugout instead. Express Sport takes a look at who could replace the former Chelsea boss if he becomes the first manager sacked of the 2025/26 Premier League campaign..
Sean Dyche
If West Ham find themselves in a situation where they need a steady pair of hands for the dogfight of a relegation battle, Dyche is their man. The 54-year-old has proven that he can unite a broken dressing room during his time at Everton, and the former Burnley boss will feel that he can grind out results with this West Ham squad.
Ange Postecoglou
Postecoglou’s availability will be a key factor for clubs around Europe considering sacking their respective managers, but the chance to remain in London could give West Ham a key advantage if they opt to make an approach. The ex-Tottenham boss will be able to inject togetherness into the team whilst they adapt to his system, and Postecoglou will have higher hopes than just steering the Hammers to safety – which is the ambition that the club lacks at this moment in time. He also favours a back-three system, meaning that Potter’s squad could be ready-made for his tactics.
Nuno Espirito Santo
Although still Nottingham Forest boss, Santo admitting that he doesn’t have a good relationship with owner Evangelos Marinakis won’t put him in the good books of the Greek powerhouse. A sacking is therefore on the cards, but the Portuguese manager is unlikely to be out of work for long given his miraculous work at the City Ground, turning Forest from relegation battlers into a side pushing for Champions League football – a success story which will have caught the eye of West Ham.
Michael Carrick
After failing to lead Middlesbrough to promotion last season, Carrick was sacked by the Riverside Stadium outfit. However, the ex-midfielder was among the candidates to replace Julen Lopetegui at West Ham before Potter’s appointment, and he may still remain a consideration. Having made over 100 appearances for the club, Carrick could be the figure required for fans and players to buy into his plans, especially given his desire to integrate youngsters and build around a solid core.