West Ham hold talks with Potter over managerial position; Everton retain interest

West Ham United have held talks with Graham Potter about the managerial position in the event Julen Lopetegui leaves the club.

Lopetegui remains in situ for now, but the club have been discussing his future following a run that has seen West Ham pick up eight points from their last eight games.

One source has told Sky Sports News that Lopetegui will be sacked once they have an agreement in principle with a preferred target – understood to be Potter.

As it stands, there is no agreement with Potter or any other manager.

Sky Sports News understands that Everton also retain an interest in Potter, should they decide to replace Sean Dyche.

Potter has been out of work since he was sacked by Chelsea in April 2023 after a seven-month spell with the club, despite signing a five-year deal to replace Thomas Tuchel.

The 49-year-old was previously with Brighton for three years, helping them to a ninth-place Premier League finish in 2021/22, their highest-ever finish at that time.

Carra: Potter to West Ham is good for both

Jamie Carragher believes West Ham may finally be getting the manager they thought they were getting in Lopetegui, should Potter be appointed.

Speaking on Monday Night Football, he said: “The whole reason they moved away from David Moyes was not actually the results as such – the last season wasn’t great, they had better seasons. In the main Moyes did a good job at West Ham. But I always felt West Ham wanted their ‘De Zerbi”, a guy who comes in and plays brilliant football.

“But don’t forget it started with Graham Potter who came off the back of Chris Hughton who was a different type of manager and they [Brighton] wanted to change things. West Ham wanted to change things and be a team that’s on the front foot and take the game to the opposition.

“We know Potter can do that. If he can unlock some of the attacking talents West Ham have got, it’s a good move for both if the deal comes off.”

Asked whether he would choose West Ham or Everton were he in Potters’ shoes, Carragher said he would lean towards the Hammers.

“I think Everton are a bigger club than West Ham. That’s probably just me going back to my childhood and seeing them win trophies and West Ham not really winning too much.

“Everton have been so poor for the last 10 years, West Ham have won a European trophy and they are in London, they’ve got the Olympic stadium.

“I think it’s more of a 50-50 decision now. And maybe right now you would veer more towards West Ham because they are probably more guaranteed to stay in the Premier League.

“The fact that I think Potter would choose West Ham over Everton, it’s probably sad really that I’m saying it’s a 50-50 because in my mind Everton are a much bigger club than West Ham.”

Potter on Chelsea exit – ‘You live and learn’

Potter appeared on Monday Night Football in September and reflected on his brief stint at Chelsea. He said the team were in a state of “flux” during his time at the club and he will “learn” from the experience.

Potter was appointed in September 2022 but lasted fewer than eight months in the role before being sacked by the club.

He said of his tenure: “After speaking to the owners, they were very ambitious. They wanted to challenge for trophies and use younger players.

“The chance to have that opportunity to work with younger players and build an environment. We did some things well.
“All of a sudden there was a bit of adjustment to be done while still trying to compete, the whole team was in a bit of flux. There was a lot of adjusting.

“It’s impossible to play everybody in every minute. Finding that stability was a bit of a struggle. You live and you learn. It was a very turbulent period in Chelsea’s history. I wish I had done better.”

Asked if it has made him hungrier for his next challenge, Potter added: “I know my ability and know what I can do. It has to be the right opportunity and has to be the right thing for me.

The culture at Chelsea over a period of time has got them success so I respect that. I suppose you could feel that from the outside, the media and the supporters. Perhaps the mistake I made was that I thought with new ownership there would be a change of culture.

“But culture runs a lot deeper than that. Before the World Cup, we’d only lost three matches in the Premier League – one to Arsenal, who were top at the time, and to Newcastle and Brighton away – but the world was closing in and we were close to crisis.

“Perspective is not always easy to get, and at the time Chelsea were used to winning and competing.

“It was easy to say it must be the coach as he’s not used to playing at this level or worked at this level. Maybe he was the problem, and I could understand that as the results weren’t what they expected.”

West Ham fixtures

Jan 10: Aston Villa (a) – FA Cup

Jan 14: Fulham (h)

Jan 18: Crystal Palace (h)

Jan 26: Aston Villa (a) – Live on Sky Sports

Feb 3: Chelsea (a) – Live on Sky Sports

Feb 15: Brentford (h)