West Ham United head coach Graham Potter is in serious danger of losing his job as key decision-makers at the London Stadium have started identifying potential replacements after starting the campaign with three consecutive defeats in all competitions, GIVEMESPORT sources have revealed.
Having already been condemned to heavy losses at the hands of newly-promoted Sunderland and Chelsea, to leave them sitting at the bottom of the Premier League, the Hammers were knocked out of the Carabao Cup by Wolverhampton Wanderers on Tuesday and captain Jarrod Bowen had to be pulled away from a confrontation with supporters after the clash.
Potter was only appointed as West Ham's boss in January, when he penned a two-and-a-half-year contract to succeed the sacked Julen Lopetegui, but a string of underwhelming results have led to influential figures behind the scenes seriously considering whether they need to make another alteration in the dugout.
Potter Not Poised to be Axed Before Weekend
West Ham United head coach Graham Potter
West Ham's hierarchy have made a decision on Potter's future as he is not in line to be axed ahead of their Premier League encounter with Nottingham Forest on Sunday, according to GMS sources, but contingency plans are being made due to growing concerns that he will struggle to turn around their fortunes.
The 50-year-old tactician was forced to contend with the £55million departure of Mohammed Kudus to arch-rivals Tottenham Hotspur last month, meaning he has gone into the new season with fewer creative attackers, and he has been unable to guide the Hammers towards positive results.
GMS sources have been informed that Potter, who has steered West Ham to just five wins from 22 competitive fixtures in charge, was already under pressure before the campaign got underway and the lack of form has led to there being increasing amounts of friction behind the scenes.
Graham Potter's statistics in charge of West Ham United
The former Chelsea and Brighton & Hove Albion chief is on the cusp of strengthening his squad, with defensive midfielder Soungoutou Magassa poised to join in a deal worth up to £17.2million from Monaco, but performances and results have caused concern within the fanbase as well as the boardroom.
Some influential figures have conceded that the Carabao Cup second round elimination earlier this week could prove to be the beginning of the end for Potter at West Ham, GMS sources have learned, while others believe the writing is already on the wall as they continue searching for their first points of the campaign.
Sullivan Would Lead Search for Replacement
West Ham United co-owner David Sullivan watching on from the stands
GMS sources have been told that West Ham's preferred pathway to go down would be to secure a manager who already boasts Premier League experience if they decide to part company with Potter in the coming weeks, while co-owner David Sullivan would play a leading role in pinpointing the first-choice candidate.
Daniel Kretinsky - who bought a 27 per cent stake in the Hammers close to four years ago - and vice-chair Karren Brady would also be among the names involved in deciding who to bring into the dugout in the event of a change being made after an underwhelming start to the season.
West Ham's second option would be to recruit a manager who already has an attachment to the club, GMS sources understand, and it has been acknowledged that the incoming boss would have to relate to the supporters after Potter has been unable to win over large sections of the fanbase.
GMS sources recently revealed that the east Londoners have been having second thoughts about landing Hayden Hackney from Championship side Middlesbrough, despite the central midfielder being on their shortlist of targets, and their doubts have spread to the hot-seat as they seek to enjoy an upturn in form.
All statistics courtesy of Sofascore - correct as of 27/08/2025
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