Four losses in five matches
West Ham United has officially announced the dismissal of head coach Graham Potter, concluding his nine-month tenure at the London Stadium. The English manager faced tremendous pressure due to a poor start to the season, culminating in a 2-1 home loss to Crystal Palace, which marked his final game in charge. Heavy defeats to Chelsea and Tottenham at home placed him in a precarious position, although a brief respite followed with a 3-0 win away at Nottingham Forest. However, just a week after the disappointing defeat to Crystal Palace on September 20, chairman David Sullivan made the decision to part ways with Potter, just 48 hours ahead of the home game against Everton. Additionally, Assistant Coach Bruno Saltor, first team coaches Billy Reid and Narcis Pelach, lead Goalkeeper Coach Casper Ankergren, and goalkeeper Coach Linus Kandolin have all been let go. The club has yet to announce an interim successor but confirmed that the search for a new head coach is ‘ongoing.’
The 50-year-old was brought in to replace Julen Lopetegui in January but struggled to optimize the potential of his squad. Following the team’s fourth defeat of the season, Potter now holds the record for the lowest points-per-game average of any manager in the club’s history, with only 0.96 points accrued from his 24 games in charge. This performance places him below Lopetegui and even Gianfranco Zola, both of whom experienced equally challenging stints before being dismissed within nine months.
Concerns over transfer recruitment
Recent signings like Mads Hermansen and Jean-Clair Todibo have come under scrutiny due to their inconsistent performances early in the season. Potter was allocated significant funds to make improvements following a shaky start, including the acquisition of Mateus Fernandes from Southampton for €44 million and Soungoutou Magassa from AS Monaco for €17 million on deadline day. However, a key moment in the summer transfer window was the sale of Mohammed Kudus to Spurs for a substantial €63.8 million, a move many believe left the team unable to properly replace him, weakening West Ham’s attacking options and leaving Jarrod Bowen to shoulder much of the responsibility. Although Bowen scored in the recent 2-1 defeat, he expressed frustration over the lack of goal contributions from his teammates. Defensively, West Ham continues to struggle, failing to keep a clean sheet this season and conceding 13 goals in five matches. The return of respected goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski, who had been released earlier this summer, further highlights the club’s questionable transfer strategies.
Potential successors for Potter
Supporters of the club have organized protests against the ownership, with chairman David Sullivan and vice-chair Karren Brady urged to step down by frustrated fans during Saturday’s match. However, both remain committed to their roles. In contrast, the managerial position is under scrutiny, with Nuno Espírito Santo and former Liverpool manager Rafael Benítez reportedly in talks to succeed Potter. Additionally, ex-West Ham manager Slaven Bilic has also been mentioned as a possible candidate for reappointment, given his popularity among the fan base from his previous spells at the club. While the situation remains uncertain, addressing the growing divide between the club and its supporters may require the appointment of a familiar and beloved figure. Nevertheless, the choice for a new manager is critical, especially with relegation becoming an increasing concern this season.
