West Ham chiefs are analysing the managerial market as they weigh up potential replacements for under-fire boss Graham Potter.
West Ham’s managerial shortlist as Graham Potter faces sack
Since stepping into Julen Lopetegui’s shoes in January, Potter’s record has been abysmal.
The 50-year-old has reigned victorious in just six of his 25 total games at West Ham, recording a lowly win percentage of just 26.1 per cent in the Premier League.
Worst West Ham managers in the Premier League
Win percentage
9. Sam Allardyce
30.7%
10. Julen Lopetegui
30%
11. Gianfranco Zola
27.8%
12 Graham Potter
26.1%
13. Avram Grant
18.9%
via StatMuse
Of the 13 goals West Ham have conceded in the top flight so far, seven of them have come from corners, with the Hammers regressing defensively under Potter and in need of inspiration from somewhere.
Boos and jeers rang around the London Stadium during West Ham’s 2-1 defeat to Crystal Palace last weekend, and supporters’ chants of “you’re getting sacked in the morning” were clear for all to hear after Potter’s decision to take off Mateus Fernandes in the 78th minute.
According to club insider ExWHUemployee, the tactician’s place in the dugout is under serious threat, and West Ham could take the decision to axe Potter after the Arsenal game to give any new manager the best chance of a good start at home to Brentford after the October international break.
Nuno Espírito Santo is currently in pole position to replace Potter at West Ham, should he get the sack (ExWHUemployee), with David Sullivan and Karren Brady talks held as the Portuguese considers their offer.
However, Nuno isn’t nailed on just yet.
Slaven Bilic is also a top contender for the potential West Ham job and is believed to be making backroom plans in the event he does get the nod (ExWHUemployee), with another ex-Irons star in Gary O’Neil also a favourite (Miguel Delaney).
All the aforementioned coaches are free agents and don’t require a compensation fee, but according to GiveMeSport, Sullivan could now break his usual mould and hire an in-work boss instead.
West Ham hold internal talks over Scott Parker
According to the outlet and journalist Andrew Dillon — a lifelong West Ham fan — it is believed that newly-promoted Burnley manager Scott Parker is yet another former player under consideration by the east Londoners.
Parker was a fan favourite at the Boleyn, captaining West Ham and making 129 appearances in four years before his move to Tottenham in 2011.
The 44-year-old, before joining Burnley last year, was sacked by Club Brugge after just 12 matches and spent just one full season at Bournemouth prior to his Belgian adventure.
Parker did do an excellent job at Fulham, though, where he earned serious praise from Man City boss Pep Guardiola as one of England’s new line of “innovative” young managers.
Now, GMS report that West Ham have held internal talks over appointing Parker as an alternative to the likes of Nuno and Bilic, and he could be a very interesting option.
That being said, there are some suggestions that Parker’s compensation fee to get him out of Burnley could be as high as £10 million, with former Tottenham scout Bryan King once talking him up as a Spurs option to replace Ange Postecoglou before they hired Thomas Frank.
“Parker has worked at clubs where the budgets haven’t been large,” King said to Tottenham News.
“He is a young up-and-coming manager, so why not look to him? It can’t be any worse than what we have had. He is an ex-Tottenham player. Therefore, I’d imagine he would be very interested in the job if it were offered to him.
“Tottenham will have to pay a compensation fee, probably around £10million. However, in today’s football market, that is a small price to pay.”
