West Ham linked with currently employed manager who just oversaw embarrassing cup defeat

West Ham are now being linked with a current Premier League manager as they contemplate replacing Graham Potter. The Hammers have endured a torrid start to the season that has seen them lose five of their first six games across all competitions.

Potter is holding on for dear life at this stage, but it looks likely the Iron will keep him for now, with games against Everton and Arsenal potentially spelling the end for the former Brighton boss. The Hammers are already falling into relegation battle territory, and things could easily spiral if they don’t get their act together quickly.

We are already seeing names linked with the job even with Potter still in place, with former Nottingham Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo looking as though he is the prime candidate. There have also been links with former boss Slaven Bilic, and there is now another name being mentioned.

Claret and Hugh are reporting that Burnley boss Scott Parker is among the potential candidates despite his sticky Premier League record. Parker has typically done well in the Championship, winning three promotions to date, but they have struggled to maintain success after promotion.

His Burnley side were excellent in the second tier last season, but they have won only one of their first five Premier League games so far. They were also knocked out of the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night, losing at home to League One side Cardiff City.

Parker’s sides have an expansive style of play, which West Ham may like the look of, though you could argue that this squad has failed to play that way under Potter, and there may be a thirst for a more defensive manager like Santo.

The Hammers would also have to pay compensation to Burnley to appoint Parker, which wouldn’t be the case with the rumoured candidates that are out of work.

Parker on Carabao Cup exit

Speaking after his side lost at home to League One Cardiff, Parker said: “Fundamentally, it was a disappointing night really.

“Firstly, disappointing result, because we came here wanting to win the game. I think it’s fair to say performance-wise, we were way short, certainly first half, really, really short. And in terms of where we want to be, in terms of what we were, and what we are, we just felt a little bit short of our standards tonight.

“Second half, there was an improvement, but, you know, you give a team a two nil head start in the first half, we give ourselves a big climb. We had some good chances in the second half, but I think on reflection of the game if we’re all being brutally honest, we probably didn’t deserve to win tonight. So yes, disappointed.”

Burnley were two goals down at half-time, and they only got back into the game after a goalkeeping mistake gifted them a goal back in the second half. Asked about what he said at half-time, Parker said: “I think there were a number of issues, there were some tactical elements we needed to fix a little bit. Generally, just us, we were poor in the first half in every phase of our game really, in terms of pressing, in terms of our intensity. We opened up the pitch really easy for the opposition. On the flip side just with the ball as well, we were quite slow at times. It was just a general mix really; we just looked a little yard off it tonight in every phase.

“Second half there was a massive improvement. I'm pleased with that, but I say that lightly because obviously the first half was very, very disappointing. Reaction in the second half was a bit more. Duels, a bit more quality with the ball and we created some good opportunities. But like I said, I think fundamentally here the overriding feeling from me, along with the players as well, is bitterly disappointed overall tonight.”

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