West Ham United have dismissed head coach Graham Potter after just nine months in charge, with reports suggesting former Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo is the frontrunner to replace him.
The decision comes with the Hammers sitting 19th in the Premier League after collecting only three points from their opening five matches. Potter, 50, becomes the second managerial casualty of the season.
“Results and performances since the second half of last season and into this campaign have not met expectations,” the club said in a statement. “The board believes a change is necessary to improve the team’s position as quickly as possible.”
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Potter, who previously managed Chelsea and Brighton, oversaw just six wins in 25 matches after replacing Julen Lopetegui in January. His tenure was marred by inconsistency, culminating in back-to-back London derby defeats against Tottenham and Crystal Palace this month.
Espirito Santo, 51, who guided Wolves to Premier League stability and later managed Tottenham, is widely tipped as Potter’s successor. He was dismissed by Nottingham Forest earlier this month despite steering them into European competition for the first time in three decades.
West Ham confirmed that assistant coach Bruno Saltor, first-team coaches Billy Reid and Narcis Pelach, and goalkeeper coaches Casper Ankergren and Linus Kandolin have also departed.
“The process of appointing a replacement is underway,” the club added, declining to make further comment.
The Hammers are set to face Everton in their next league fixture as they look to turn around a disappointing start to the season.
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