West Ham close to sacking Graham Potter as 'leading contender' confirmed

Cameron Smith

• 21 Sept 2025 18:15 BST
• 4 min read

News

West Ham United are reportedly close to sacking Graham Potter following their 2-1 defeat to Crystal Palace on Saturday afternoon.

The Hammers have picked up just three points from their opening five Premier League fixtures so far this season and Potter is widely expected to become the second English top flight manager to be fired in 2025-26.

The 50-year-old was appointed as Julen Lopetegui’s replacement at the London Stadium back in January, however he has only won six of his 25 matches in charge and West Ham are now in talks to replace the former Chelsea boss.

This has been confirmed by The Mirror, who state that Nuno Espirito Santo is currently the leading contender to be hired by West Ham following his dismissal by Nottingham Forest.

The east London outfit are also considering the possibility of appointing Gary O’Neil, Sean Dyche or Slaven Bilic if they decide to sack Potter - which is now looking like a formality following the club’s dismal start to the new Premier League season.

Graham Potter to be sacked by West Ham?

Following West Ham’s defeat to Crystal Palace on Saturday, Potter admitted to Sky Sports: “Everyone at the club feels that pressure because the situation isn't what we want. You have to face it up.

“We want to do better than we are and at the moment we're not. So we have to find a solution. We have to work, we have to stick together, and we have to find those answers.”

When asked if he retains the full support of the West Ham hierarchy, Potter said: “I've no reason to think not but I also understand the environment. I have no complaints at all with the support that I've had, and the support from the supporters, from everybody at the club.”

West Ham have supported Potter throughout his reign at the club, however they are now seriously considering sacking the 50-year-old after nine months in charge.

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