Sources: Graham Potter given stay of execution as West Ham’s updated sack plan revealed
Graham Potter remains at serious risk of the sack at West Ham and is fighting calls for his dismissal from both outside and inside the London Stadium.
Football Insider revealed on 16 September that West Ham are set to stick with Potter for the time being, but the growing pressure has made their position difficult.
After losing four of their first five Premier League games so far this season, and being knocked out of the Carabao Cup by Wolves, he is now fighting for his job.
West Ham fans have called for Potter to be sacked, placing further pressure on the board to pull the trigger despite their delays in recent weeks.
Meanwhile, Football Insider exclusively revealed on 28 August that West Ham are exploring alternatives to Potter, and talks have since been held with numerous options.
Graham Potter given a stay of execution at West Ham
As I revealed on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Potter will be given until the next international break to save his job.
Games against Everton and Arsenal before the break will prove vital to his future at the London Stadium, with two wins needed to ease the pressure on his position.
This comes after Football Insider revealed on 19 September that Potter had four games to save his job at West Ham – and the following defeat to Crystal Palace has shortened that leash.
Speaking on the Inside Track podcast, I explained: “There’s lots going on at West Ham, but it looks like Graham Potter is going to have a stay of execution.
“He’ll be given until the next international break to turn things around and they’ll see what happens there, so it looks like being two more games in charge for Potter.
“They’ve got Everton away on Monday night and then Arsenal away, so it’s two tough games for Potter.
“West Ham have obviously been speaking to candidates to replace him, so the writing is on the wall long-term and it feels like when rather than if he gets sacked.”
Both Everton and Arsenal are unbeaten at home so far this season, with those games providing a tough challenge for a West Ham side who have struggled for wins so far.
Legal issues prevent West Ham making immediate manager swap
While Potter looks set to remain in the job for a little while longer, preparations are ongoing behind the scenes to identify and bring in his replacement.
However, Football Insider exclusively revealed on 24 September that West Ham have delayed appointing Nuno Espirito Santo due to ongoing issues in the background.
Nottingham Forest sacked Nuno earlier this month, and the boss still has some legal issues to sort out regarding his City Ground exit before he can join West Ham.
Nuno has already met with the West Ham hierarchy including David Sullivan following their 2-1 defeat to Crystal Palace and is thought to be the favourite for the job.
However, a number of options including the likes of Gary O’Neil, Kieran McKenna and Slaven Bilic have also been discussed internally at the London Stadium.
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