West Ham United have sacked head coach Graham Potter after a dismal start to the 2025/26 Premier League season, with the club languishing in 19th place. The decision, announced on Saturday, comes just nine months after Potter took charge at the London Stadium. Former Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo is widely tipped to replace him.
Potter, 50, becomes the second Premier League manager to lose his job this season. He joined West Ham in January when they were 14th but has struggled to turn the team’s fortunes around. A club statement said, “Results and performances over the second half of last season and the start of the 2025/26 season have not matched expectations. The board believes a change is necessary to improve the team’s position in the Premier League.”
The Hammers have managed only three points from their opening five matches, with a crucial game against Everton looming on Monday. Potter’s tenure ended after a string of poor results, including a 3-0 defeat to Tottenham and a 2-1 loss to Crystal Palace last weekend, which saw fans boo the team off the pitch. Speaking after the Palace defeat, Potter admitted, “It’s a tough moment for us.”
Potter, who previously managed Chelsea and Brighton, won just six of his 25 matches since replacing Julen Lopetegui, who himself lasted only 22 games after succeeding David Moyes. A rare highlight was a 3-0 victory at Nottingham Forest last month, but it wasn’t enough to save his job.
The club also confirmed the departure of assistant coach Bruno Saltor, first-team coaches Billy Reid and Narcis Pelach, lead goalkeeper coach Casper Ankergren, and goalkeeper coach Linus Kandolin. “The process of appointing a replacement is underway, and no further comment will be made at this time,” the club added.
Speculation is rife that Nuno Espirito Santo, 51, is the frontrunner to take over. The Portuguese coach, sacked by Nottingham Forest three weeks ago, led Forest to European competition last season for the first time in three decades. However, his exit came after a fallout with Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis, who was frustrated by the club’s failure to secure a Champions League spot.
