West Ham United manager twist as Marco Silva hire claim made
West Ham United approached Fulham for Marco Silva before Graham Potter was appointed, according to talkSPORT.
The radio station revealed via its website (14 January) that the Hammers “made tentative enquiries” for the Fulham boss but David Sullivan baulked at his £8million release clause.
Sullivan is a long-term admirer and considered Silva as a potential replacement for David Moyes [GiveMeSport] before opting to appoint Julen Lopetegui, who was dismissed at the London Stadium following the 4-1 loss against Manchester City (4 January).
West Ham United could have appointed Marco Silva
During the initial approach earlier last year, the Hammers were made aware of the release clause in Silva’s contract at Craven Cottage.
With that in mind, it begs the question of why Sullivan would include the Portuguese boss on his list of candidates to replace Lopetegui with no intention of activating the clause.
Regardless, West Ham wasted no time appointing Graham Potter in East London, and the ex-Brighton and Chelsea boss will make his Premier League bow against a man who could have snatched the position away from him.
While no clarification exists on whether the release clause was the only mitigating factor preventing Sullivan from pulling the trigger on Silva, the Irons faithful are relieved to see the end of Lopetegui.
However, Silva’s Fulham side are notoriously tough opposition, so Potter will not have an easy first league outing at the London Stadium.
Furthermore, he will be without several key first-team players for the contest, with Crysencio Summerville and Jean-Clair Todibo doubts to make the matchday squad on Tuesday (14 January).
Silva would have been a fantastic appointment for West Ham, but Potter was no quickfire decision – the Irons boss has the perfect opportunity to prove to Sullivan he made the right decision at the London Stadium.
In other West Ham news, the Hammers make an approach for a Nottingham Forest star.
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