West Ham boss Graham Potter looking down, with David Sullivan pictured in a circular inset
(Credit: Imago)
Callum O'Connell
Mon 25 August 2025 10:00, UK
Graham Potter is facing growing pressure at West Ham after a terrible start to the season, and their next run of games could prove decisive.
Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, senior correspondent Pete O’Rourke revealed what sources have said about the 50-year-old’s future at the London Stadium and the board’s response to their dismal start.
A 3-0 defeat to Sunderland was followed by a 5-1 defeat at home to Chelsea, with fixtures against Nottingham Forest, Tottenham and Crystal Palace on the horizon.
Football Insider revealed on 22 August that West Ham are not considering sacking Potter immediately, despite pressure, while they have publicly backed him.
However, there is a growing feeling that if results do not improve swiftly, serious questions could soon be asked of his position at the London Stadium.
Former Hammers scout Mick Brown told Football Insider on 18 August that Potter is facing huge pressure following a “disastrous” start to the season.
West Ham manager Graham Potter
Graham Potter has overseen a disastrous start to the season. (Credit: Hasan Karim, Breaking Media)
Graham Potter under pressure after ‘serious questions’ at West Ham
Brown told Football Insider at the end of last season that West Ham were asking serious questions of Potter at the London Stadium as pressure continues to intensify.
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Since taking over from Julen Lopetegui in January, he has won just five of his 21 games in charge, and there is a growing feeling that the form must improve soon.
O’Rourke explained that upcoming fixtures could be crucial to the manager’s status and he must pick up a result in the next five games to ease the pressure.
“From what I’m told by my sources, there’s not growing pressure from the board at the moment,” he told Football Insider.
“But there is certainly growing pressure from the fanbase.
“I don’t expect any knee jerk reactions from West Ham right now.
David Sullivan with his hand on his chin at the London Stadium
David Sullivan may be forced into a decision about Graham Potter’s future. (Credit: Imago)
“But obviously, with the upcoming fixtures, if results don’t improve or performances don’t improve, that will bring its own pressure.
“The fans will be demanding a response from the Sunderland and Chelsea performances.
“They’ve got Forest away, Tottenham at home, Palace at home, Everton away and Arsenal away.
“They’re a really tough run of opening fixtures for the Hammers and I think Potter really needs a result to ease any of the growing pressure on him.”
Graham Potters sets sights on Yves Bissouma reunion
As the board continue to back Potter both on and off the pitch, they remain keen to bolster his squad, and have now set their sights on signing Yves Bissouma.
Football Insider exclusively revealed on 25 August that West Ham are exploring a move for Bissouma, who has been axed from the Spurs side under Thomas Frank.
Yves Bissouma of Tottenham pointing to his left during a game
Yves Bissouma is a target for West Ham. (Credit: Imago)
The 28-year-old was a key player under Potter during his time at Brighton, and there is a belief he could get the best out of him once again.
This comes after Football Insider revealed on 4 August that Bissouma is likely to leave Tottenham before the summer transfer window closes.
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