Paul Merson believes Graham Potter’s time as West Ham manager is coming to an end. According to Merson, Potter will be sacked if West Ham loses to Crystal Palace this weekend, which he predicts will happen. Here’s what’s at stake ¹:
- Potential Replacement: Several managers are being considered to replace Potter, including:
- Nuno Espirito Santo: The Portuguese manager has been linked to the West Ham job and has a track record of success with Nottingham Forest.
- Kieran McKenna: The Ipswich manager has been mentioned as a potential candidate, and it’s reported that he was in attendance at the London Stadium during West Ham’s derby defeat to Spurs.
- Slaven Bilic: The Croatian manager has expressed willingness to return to West Ham and has a history with the club, having managed them from 2015 to 2017.
- Reasons for Potter’s Potential Departure:
- Poor Performance: West Ham has won just 17 of their last 61 games since December 2023, and they’ve lost four of their five games this season, conceding 14 goals.
- Fan Protests: West Ham fans are planning to protest against the club’s owners ahead of the Crystal Palace match, adding to the pressure on Potter.
- Financial Implications: Dropping into the Championship would leave West Ham staring into the abyss, with potential losses of £100m in revenue.
Merson’s prediction is based on Potter’s poor record, particularly at home, where West Ham have just two wins since Potter took over. He believes Potter won’t survive if West Ham loses to Crystal Palace, especially if they concede first ¹.
