1 month ago
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Four defeats in five
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West Ham United have announced the departure of head coach Graham Potter, bringing an end to his nine-month reign at the London Stadium. The Englishman has found himself under immense pressure following their dismal start to the season, with his final game in charge a 2-1 home defeat to Crystal Palace. Heavy defeats to Chelsea and Tottenham at home had put his head in the chopping block, before a 3-0 victory away at Nottingham Forest gave Potter a brief reprieve. But seven days after their disappointing defeat at home to their London rivals Palace on September 20, chairman David Sullivan has decided to wield the axe just 48 hours before their home game against Everton. Assistant Coach Bruno Saltor, first team coaches Billy Reid and Narcis Pelach, lead Goalkeeper Coach Casper Ankergren, and goalkeeper Coach Linus Kandolin have also left with immediate effect. They are yet to name a temporary successor, but the club confirmed the search is 'underway' for Potter's replacement.
The 50-year-old was appointed in January this year as a replacement for Julen Lopetegui but the Englishman has struggled to get the best out of his squad. Following their fourth defeat of the season, Potter now has the worst points-per-game average of any manager in the club's history, with just 0.96 points coming from his 24 games in charge. That puts him below Lopetegui and even Gianfranco Zola, both of whom oversaw disastrous spells and were sacked within nine months of their respective arrivals.
Transfer recruitment under question
Signings such as Mads Hermansen and Jean-Clair Todibo have been questioned by the club after poor performances early this season. Potter was handed significant funds to turn things around after the first few games of the campaign, signing Mateus Fernandes from Southampton for €44million and adding Soungoutou Magassa from AS Monaco for €17m on deadline day. But the key moment of their summer was when Mohammed Kudus joined Spurs in a big-money deal worth €63.8m. Many would argue they have failed to adequately replace Kudus, and that has unquestionably weakened West Ham going forward, leaving Jarrod Bowen to carry the mantle. The 29-year-old found the net in that 2-1 defeat on Saturday, but Bowen has been frustrated with the lack of support from his team-mates in terms of contributing goals. At the back, West Ham's porous backline has seen them failed to keep a single clean sheet this season, as well as conceding 13 goals in five games. The curious return of respected goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski, who was released earlier this summer, has underlined their questionable business in the transfer market.
Who could replace Potter?
The club's supporters have staged protests against the ownership, with Sullivan and vice-chair Karren Brady told to step down by a group of unhappy fans at the ground on Saturday. But there doesn't appear to be any change forthcoming, with the pair keen to carry on their roles. The same cannot be said for the manager's dugout, however, with Nuno Espírito Santo and ex-Liverpool boss Rafael Benítez reportedly lined up for talks to replace Potter. Former West Ham boss Slaven Bilic, still a popular figure in these parts owing to his spells as a player and manager, has also entered the running to be re-appointed, should Potter depart. That remains a big 'if' at the moment, but with a palpable discord dividing the club and fans, appointing a cult hero might be what the board need to get them back onside. That said, their next choice has to be the right one, with relegation a growing threat this season.
