Graham Potter to be given five more weeks by David Sullivan as West Ham reality sinks in
Graham Potter faces a huge battle to keep his job at West Ham United.
Potter’s West Ham side have started the campaign miserably, losing their opening two matches and conceding eight goals in the process.
The situation at the London Stadium is a dismal one, and unless it improves shortly, Potter could find himself out of a job.
That is despite only being hired as Julen Lopetegui’s replacement in January.
West Ham Zone presents the exclusive opinion of iconic football commentator Ian Darke.
Graham Potter on borrowed time at West Ham
West Ham have a big decision to make on Potter. The current climate will come to a head sooner rather than later.
Darke believes that Potter could be on a very fine line at the moment, and he likely only has until October – five weeks away – to turn things around.
Speaking exclusively to West Ham Zone, he said: “I think he has got under a point a game now hasn’t he now since he took over.
“Is it too early? Yeah, it probably is because they have made the decision to stick with him over the summer and to be fair, West Ham are not a club that changes managers at the drop of a hat.
“I think he is on borrowed time. The reality of modern football is, he has got to somehow turn the ship around between now and October, maybe even sooner than that.
“If they get a few more results like the last two in the next couple of games, the pressure these days with the 24/7 debates that go on radio and television about his personality, his position will become quite difficult.
“The likes of Karren Brady and David Sullivan are going to look around the stadium and see that half the seats are empty in the last 10 minutes, because the fans who are already pretty disillusioned are kind of turning their back on the team a little bit, because they do not like what they are seeing on the pitch.
“Somehow, someone has got to change the mood there.”
When could Graham Potter be sacked?
Realistically, it would be incredibly harsh to sack Potter anytime soon, but if the Hammers are involved in a relegation scrap they may have to.
Their next five league fixtures are against Nottingham Forest, Tottenham, Crystal Palace, Everton and Arsenal, which is not an easy run by any means.
If Potter’s side loses all of those matches, it could be curtains for his reign in East London.
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