Former Nottingham Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo is reportedly the front-runner to replace Graham Potter at West Ham United.
Graham Potter’s time at West Ham United is over as the East London club have endured a very disappointing start to the season. The Hammers are already looking at potential options to replace him, as the writing seems to be on the wall.
According to Pete O’Rourke via Football Insider, Nuno Espirito Santo is the favourite to replace Potter at West Ham. Having been sacked by Nottingham Forest earlier this season, the Portuguese manager is looking for a new role, and the Hammers are keen on having him on their bench.
Graham Potter’s struggles at West Ham
Graham Potter took charge at the East London club at the start of the year. While he was brought in to steady the ship, the 50-year-old did not have the kind of impact they expected. He led them in a total of 25 matches and averaged less than a point per game.
West Ham have not had the best of starts to the new season, as they have lost five out of their six games in all competitions. The pressure mounted on the former Chelsea manager, and the defeat to Crystal Palace was a massive blow, with his time at the club over.
The Hammers have started assessing potential replacements, and Nuno Espirito Santo, Gary O’Neil and Slaven Bilic are the top three candidates to take over as their next boss. The former Tottenham and Nottingham Forest boss Espirito Santo is believed to be the front-runner for the job.
Pete O’Rourke on Nuno Espirito Santo and West Ham’s search for the next manager
While speaking on the Inside Track podcast, O’Rourke said, “West Ham are speaking to candidates to replace Potter, so the writing is on the wall for him long-term. Nuno, obviously, I think right now is the favourite for the role having left Nottingham Forest earlier this season, but the finances involved will come into their thinking.
“If that’s too expensive a deal to do, they have got other options, Gary O’Neil is the second choice, the former Wolves and Bournemouth manager is interested in the role at West Ham. Then you’ve got Slaven Bilic, who is out of work after leaving the Saudi Pro League not too long ago and as a former West Ham player and manager would be very interested in the job.
“A lot will depend on what West Ham decide they want to do, but right now Nuno is probably the favourite due to what he did at Nottingham Forest where he did a great job getting them back into European football.”
The three candidates for the West Ham job
Nuno Espirito Santo did wonders at Nottingham Forest, and he can certainly be a great fit for the Hammers. Given his track record in English football, he can certainly help them get back on track. But signing him won’t be that straightforward because of the finances involved and the fact that he is still involved in some legal battles with Nottingham Forest.
The Portuguese manager remains their priority target, but they also have their eyes on O’Neil and Bilic. The former Wolves and Bournemouth manager is believed to be keen on taking the West Ham job. Meanwhile, Bilic is also looking for a new role, having left the Saudi Pro League.
Bilic has played for and managed the Hammers in the past and would love the opportunity to once again take charge of his former club. However, as things stand, he is their third choice for the job, with Nuno Espirito Santo leading the race.