Graham Potter ‘ready’ to take over after Lopetegui sack twist – West Ham Insider
Graham Potter is ready to take over as West Ham manager if Julen Lopetegui is sacked, according to the club’s former chief scout.
Mick Brown, who worked at the London Stadium until leaving alongside David Moyes in June and remains very well-connected there, exclusively told Football Insider that Potter is highly thought of at the club and has been in attendance at multiple games this season.
Lopetegui remains on thin ice at West Ham, despite the 2-1 win against Wolves last time out which earned him more time to turn their shocking early-season form around.
Following a 3-1 defeat to Leicester at the King Power, the Hammers’ board had already begun assessing potential replacements for Lopetegui, but opted to back him in the short-term.
However, it is said that a return to the dismal form they have suffered so far this season, having won just five of their 15 games so far which has them 14th in the table, would see that pressure return.
Football Insider revealed on 6 December that Potter is the clear frontrunner to take over from Lopetegui should he lose his job, after holding talks with the owners.
Now, Brown has backed the former Chelsea boss to succeed at the London Stadium and insisted he would be the right fit for the club.
Graham Potter backed for success at West Ham after new twist
West Ham are set to face Bournemouth, Brighton, Southampton, Liverpool and Man City in their next five games in what could prove a testing run for Lopetegui’s position.
Brown, who has a wealth of experience working closely with top-level bosses including the likes of Sir Alex Ferguson during Man United’s most successful period, insisted that the boss would be a success at the London Stadium.
“I think he’d be a success there,” he told Football Insider.
“He certainly fits the bill of what they’d be looking for, he’s got experience in the Premier League and abroad, and he’s English too which is always a plus.
“He’s got a very good reputation and is highly thought of at West Ham.
“Also, he plays this expansive football which the fans have been demanding.
“From what I’m told, he’s been in attendance at a few of the games recently, so he’ll already have an idea of the sort of thing he’d want to do.
“That will help him to be prepared if he is called upon, but it looks, for now at least, like Lopetegui will be given the chance to turn things around.
“It seems, though, Potter is ready to step in if push comes to shove and Lopetegui is let go.”
In other news, West Ham accelerate Evan Ferguson deal after latest twist.
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