West Ham kriisissä Graham Potterin asema vaakalaudalla Nuno Espírito Santo ja Slaven Bilić vahvoina ehdokkaina
The mood at West Ham is dark. Five matches into the new Premier League season, the team sits second from bottom with just three points to its name. The start has been a nightmare, and after two bruising defeats since the September international break – a 0–3 battering at home to Spurs followed by a 1–2 stumble against Crystal Palace – pressure is now mounting heavily on manager Graham Potter.
Only months ago, West Ham brought Potter in with the hope that he could provide stability and style. He arrived in January with a reputation for crafting thoughtful, possession-based football and with the ambition of nudging the club into the solid middle of the table. But patience is already wearing thin.
Potter’s Struggles
The raw numbers tell the story: one win in five games. Five goals scored, ten conceded. The London Stadium – never a forgiving place in tough times – is turning restless. Even some of the club’s brightest talents, such as Jarrod Bowen and Lucas Paquetá, look muted under Potter’s slower, control-heavy system.
According to reports, conversations have already started behind the scenes about whether Potter should stay. His contract runs through next season, which means letting him go would be costly. But if results don’t turn quickly, the board may be forced to act regardless.
Who Could Step In?
Two names keep resurfacing in conversations about a possible replacement: Nuno Espírito Santo and Slaven Bilić.
- Nuno Espírito Santo
Best remembered in England for his Wolves side that rose from the Championship to Europe, Nuno has also had less flattering stints. Tottenham dismissed him in 2021 after a rocky start, and he was let go by Nottingham Forest earlier this September. Still, he’s known for building tough, organized teams—with his trademark 3-4-3—something West Ham sorely needs to avoid getting sucked into a relegation fight. - Slaven Bilić
For West Ham fans, Bilić is not just another candidate – he’s part of the club’s story. Between 2015 and 2017, he gave the supporters some of their fondest recent memories, leading the team to 7th place in 2016, their best finish in a decade. Bilić brings passion, charisma, and a strong connection with the fans, energy that could lift a stadium currently drowning in frustration.
The Risks Ahead
Sacking a manager in September always carries danger. A new coach needs time to settle, to impose new ideas, to earn trust. And this West Ham squad, truth be told, isn’t dramatically stronger than last season’s. The clock ticks fast in the Premier League, though, and slipping deeper into trouble could be far more costly than making a change now.
Fans Growing Restless
For years, West Ham supporters have dreamed of becoming a regular fixture in European competition. Instead, they find themselves glancing nervously at the bottom of the table. At the London Stadium, groans grow louder with each sideways pass. Potter’s philosophy has so far taken the fizz out of West Ham’s attack, and the crowd’s patience with “project football” is dwindling.
What Happens Next?
The next fixture may be a turning point—a classic six-pointer against another team fighting at the bottom. Lose, and Potter could be gone before autumn has properly begun. Win, and maybe he buys himself more time to prove that his ideas can work.
The real question isn’t just about results. It’s about faith. Does West Ham’s board still believe in Graham Potter’s long-term plan? Or do they reach for a quick fix—through Nuno’s pragmatism or Bilić’s passion—in order to stop the slide?
In Short:
- West Ham sit 19th, with four losses in five games.
- Manager Graham Potter is under serious threat of being sacked.
- Possible replacements: Nuno Espírito Santo and Slaven Bilić.
- A decision could be made in the coming weeks, hinging on the next fixtures.
👉 So what do you think: stick with Potter’s slow-burning project, or roll the dice on a new manager now?