Top five contenders to be next West Ham manager ranked
Time is ticking on David Moyes’ contract and West Ham have plenty of managerial options to ponder as they weigh up whether or not to part ways with the Scotsman.
The Hammers boss is out of contract in the summer and has said he will wait until the end of the season to decide whether or not to extend his stay in east London.
Moyes delivered West Ham’s first European trophy since 1965 last season but he now finds his job under pressure with disgruntled fans calling for him to be sacked.
As revealed by Football Insider, the very latest is that talks between Moyes and West Ham over a new deal have collapsed and are not set to resume until the summer.
If West Ham choose to part ways with Moyes in the summer, sources have told Football Insider here are the five top contenders to replace him in the Hammers hot-seat.
5. Will Still (Reims)
The 31-year-old made headlines in France by leading Reims on an unbeaten streak of 17 games – a Ligue 1 record – after becoming caretaker manager in 2022
Remarkably, Reims was fined £25,000 for each game managed by Still because he did not hold a Uefa Pro License at the time.
Still is a well-known West Ham fan and has flirted with the idea of managing his boyhood club when he was previously linked to the job.
However, he lacks experience in England and is undoubtedly a high-risk appointment.
Managerial statistics: Managed (83) | Wins (38) | Draws (19) | Losses (26) – Overall win rate (45.8%)
4. Jose Mourinho
A proven winner that almost guarantees silverware when appointed.
It seems inevitable that the legendary Portuguese boss will make a return to the Premier League, and West Ham should be at the front of the queue.
Mourinho’s reputation took a slight hit after his sacking at Tottenham but he would still be a major coup for the Hammers.
Managerial statistics: Managed (1,133) | Wins (701) | Draws (236) | Losses (196) – Overall win rate (61.9%)
3. Steve Cooper
Cooper is available at no cost in the summer and has plenty of Premier League experience.
He joined Nottingham Forest while they were bottom of the Championship and led them to promotion within a year.
It only seems a matter of time until a top-flight club snaps up Cooper and his attacking style of play will be a breath of fresh air at the London Stadium.
Managerial statistics: Managed (287) | Wins (138) | Draws (68) | Losses (81) – Overall win rate (48%)
2. Julen Lopetegui
Another out-of-action manager who will no doubt have multiple offers on his desk this summer and is of strong interest to West Ham.
Lopetegui boasts plenty of experience both at club and international level and he started brightly at Wolves before leaving because of their worrying financial situation.
An established and low-risk choice for the West Ham board. Football Insider understands he rejected the Crystal Palace job last month because he wants to wait for the West Ham one to become available.
Managerial statistics: Managed (403) | Wins (230) | Draws (89) | Losses (84) – Overall win rate (57%)
1. Graham Potter
Potter has been heavily linked to the West Ham job since his sacking at Chelsea, but the Hammers may have to fight off several other clubs this summer to secure his signature.
The 48-year-old is still held in high regard despite his underwhelming stint at Stamford Bridge and he has emerged as a contender for the hot seats at Manchester United and Liverpool.
If West Ham decide that Potter is the right man for the job, they will need to move quickly. Nevetheless, he is still currently the favourite and seen, sources say, as ‘gettable’ by the Irons board.
Managerial statistics: Managed (466) | Wins (202) | Draws (125) | Losses (139) – Overall win rate (43.4%)
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