'Conversations' - Insider explains what West Ham board plan to do with Graham Potter

West Ham boss Graham Potter could keep hold of his job for now despite suffering a fifth defeat in six games across all competitions to start the season. The Hammers lost at home to Crystal Palace on Saturday to leave them on just one win from five games to start the Premier League season, and boos rung out around the London Stadium on more than one occasion.

Pressure has been mounting on Potter, and there were rumours aplenty that West Ham had agreed a deal with former Nottingham Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo to take the job. We also saw other reports claiming former Iron boss Slaven Bilic could return.

But according to ExWHUEmployee, who is usually a reliable source of Hammers information, the board could hold on to Potter for now. He told the The West Ham Way Podcast: “At the moment is appears that Potter will remain in post for the time being. Whilst I know that serious conversations have taken place about his future, the board appears to be holding off on pulling the trigger at the moment but pressure is mounting and they could be swayed.

“Ideally for the board they would get to the summer before having to make this decision because I believe there is a break clause in Potter’s contract so that he can have his contract terminated for no compensation. It doesn’t seem possible though for the former Chelsea boss to keep his job that long. Although not officially confirmed it does appear that he will have at least the Everton game and possibly the Arsenal game. In quite a defeatist attitude the board feel (despite us winning at Arsenal last year) that these games are tough games and it would be better to start with Brentford at home for a new manager. Of course the front runners for the job are all managers who are out of contract and therefore will not require compensation.

“The leading contender at the moment appears to be Nuno Espírito Santo who recently left Nottingham Forest in a European spot. Talks have already been held with Karen Brady and David Sullivan we believe and he is said to be considering the offer.

“Nuno would expect a long term contract but the board would prefer a shorter term fix that would be assessed in the summer as to whether they continue with that appointment or a new person is brought in. Whether the former Spurs manager would take this option is currently unknown but it does appear that he is close to agreeing a deal should Potter get the sack.

“The other strong contender is former West Ham player and manager Slaven Bilic. I will talk a lot more about this on the podcast but I have been in touch with Slaven throughout the weekend about this. He believes he can make the club more united because he understands and loves the club.

“One of his first moves would be to try to bring in the likes of Mark Noble (as an assistant that he can develop up to potentially be manager), James Collins to sure up the defence and Julian Dicks back at a possible later date. As well as a few other ex players. Slaven would be prepared to take the job on a short term basis with an option to extend and provides an interesting alternative.”

West Ham face Everton away from home next week, and Potter faces a big task in trying to pick up a second win of the season, and that game comes before a visit to Arsenal. Those games could leave the Hammers board in a tough situation as they look to strike a balance between being patient and staring into a poor start that could leave the club in serious danger of being sucked into a relegation battle early in the campaign.

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