Graham Potter was nearly sacked by West Ham months ago as David Sullivan email exchange revealed
West Ham revelations keep coming out of Rush Green following Graham Potter’s dismissal.
Nuno Espirito Santo has been appointed by West Ham following a series of interviews with the Portuguese manager over recent days.
The 51-year-old is walking into a tough environment at the London Stadium, with protests planned against the owners over the coming weeks.
Karren Brady is under fire from West Ham fans for her treatment of Potter, having sacked him over the phone as he walked into Rush Green.
It could have happened months before, though.
Graham Potter faced the sack at West Ham before win against Manchester United last season
David Sullivan interviewed multiple managers behind Potter’s back before dismissing the 50-year-old on Saturday.
The Welsh businessman has been criticised for keeping hold of the former Chelsea boss following the defeat to Crystal Palace, just to sack him two days before the game against Everton.
West Ham fans lined the streets in protest against Sullivan before the Palace game, and demonstrations aren’t expected to decrease following the appointment of Nuno.
The Athletic have now reported that Potter’s exit could have come much sooner after a poor finish to the 2024/25 season.
The former Chelsea boss made three changes to the side that drew 1-1 with Tottenham for the game against Manchester United back in May.
- Guido Rodriguez, James Ward-Prowse and Vladimir Coufal came into the starting lineup for the win against Manchester United
- Emerson, Lucas Paqueta and Niklas Fullkrug were all dropped for the fixture
Kyle Macaulay was said to have emailed the team sheet to Sullivan, who was not pleased with the line-up. Potter was informed that failing to win that day could cost him his job.
West Ham ultimately won the game 2-0 thanks to goals from Tomas Soucek and Jarrod Bowen.
Off-pitch upset has affected West Ham players
The West Ham squad appear to have been affected by the off-pitch upset caused by Sullivan.
West Ham fans are still planning on future demonstrations against the current ownership for the home fixtures against Brentford and Newcastle.
The lack of backing in the summer transfer window and the differences between the owners and Potter appear to have affected their commitments to the club.
The change of management won’t erase all of Sullivan’s failures over the last 18 months, but hopefully, demonstrations away from the pitch won’t affect the team’s performances.
With the right transfers, the Hammers can return to European football under Nuno.
For that to happen, there needs to be a big shake-up with West Ham’s hierarchy, as Sullivan and Karren Brady simply must go.
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