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2 weeks ago
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Graham Potter is facing the sack after West Ham’s dismal start to the season continued with a 2-1 defeat at home to Crystal Palace.
Potter insisted that he retains the support of the hierarchy but it is understood that the head coach will be fired unless he can inspire a swift improvement in results. West Ham are 18th after four defeats in their first five games and have already started identifying potential replacements for the former Chelsea manager.
The board have not made a final decision but the mood at the London Stadium has grown mutinous and Potter faced dissent from supporters as his team’s winless run at home extended to eight matches.
The question for West Ham, however, is whether suitable candidates are on the market. They have spoken to the former Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espírito Santo and are considering a reunion with Slaven Bilic. Gary O’Neil, the former Wolves manager, is open to the job.
Asked if he felt the support of the board, Potter said: “Yeah, I have no reason to think not but I also understand the environment and the results. I have no complaints at all with the support that we’ve had and the support from the supporters and everyone at the club.
“Do I believe I can turn it around? Of course, I also understand it’s tough. We’re in a tough situation, there’s no getting away from that. The only thing you can do is front it up, be honest with it. We want to do better than we are and at the moment we’re not.”
Potter has six wins from 25 games since replacing Julen Lopetegui in January. He has struggled to make an impact and was booed after substituting Crysencio Summerville and Mateus Fernandes against Palace. “I didn’t hear anything to be honest,” Potter said. “I understand frustration, people are entitled to their opinion. There’s nothing I can say.
“Everybody connected with the club feels that because the situation isn’t what we want. The results aren’t good, you have to face it up and you have to ensure that we’re stronger next week. It’s as simple as that.”
West Ham’s frailties were summed up by them conceding from a corner for the seventh time this season when Jean-Philippe Mateta headed Palace into the lead. Jarrod Bowen equalised but Potter’s luck was summed up by the unlikely figure of Tyrick Mitchell volleying in the winner for Oliver Glasner’s side.
Glasner insisted that he is not thinking about Champions League qualification after Palace rose into fourth place. “I’ m never relaxed, Palace’s manager said. “The better we will perform, the better we will be at the end of the season.”
