Graham Potter has been linked with the West Ham job.
Graham Potter has been linked with the West Ham job.
Match

West Ham new manager: Two new names emerge as Potter talks stall

Harri Burton
Harri Burton

Senior Correspondent AUTHORITY Senior football journalist specialising in refereeing and officiating; former contributor to The Football League Paper, Late Tackle, and the Premier League; University of Derby graduate. FOCUS Refereeing controversies, football finance and governance, PGMOL decisions, and officiating analysis across the Premier League, EFL, and SPFL. THE INSIGHT Harri utilises a network of officiating and industry contacts to deliver verified, expert analysis of refereeing decisions and PGMOL policy. He provides the regulatory clarity behind the controversy to ensure fans get the full picture.

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West Ham have held talks with Christophe Galtier and Paulo Fonseca as alternatives to Graham Potter, according to The Sun.

The newspaper reported via its website [7 January] that the Hammers hierarchy are ready to axe Julen Lopetegui, with Potter the leading candidate to be appointed at the London Stadium.

However, the 49-year-old's potential move to East London has hit a deadlock after a change of heart over the length of contract being offered [The Times], with Potter wanting two years more than the six months on offer.

West Ham already accepting defeat with Graham Potter appointment?

With the current debacle over Lopetegui's tenure, it is no surprise to see David Sullivan and the rest of the hierarchy being careful about handing out a long-term contract to Potter, which has seen talks stall.

While he is proven in the Premier League with both Chelsea and Brighton, the Hammers are in a rather tricky predicament over whether to cave to the out-of-work manager's requirements.

A two-and-a-half-year deal does seem like a very long ask, especially given the controversy over Lopetegui's appointment during the summer, but Sullivan still made that decision despite a growing number of fans warning him against it.

With David Moyes gone following the 2023/24 campaign, supporters were excited to see who was next, but with the Spaniard chosen as his successor, fans were extremely let down by the appointment.

Graham Potter
Graham Potter has been offered the West Ham job. (Credit - Imago)

Fans are excited once again, with Lopetegui's short reign at the club already looking to be coming to an end, but the worry is about who could be next at the London Stadium.

Potter, albeit proven in the division, has an interesting style of play and it remains to be seen if the current squad are capable of pulling off such football to push up the Premier League table and away from relegation.

In other West Ham news, the Hammers must react now as Ipswich Town are planning a “massive bid” for a new striker.

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Graham Potter
West Ham
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