West Ham United appear to have learned nothing from frequent managerial changes during the Sullivan – Gold – Brady era. In their now customary clumsy manner the Hammers moved swiftly towards a dismissal of Graham Potter , going so far as interviewing candidates and then hit the ‘pause’ button, seemingly leaving Potter a ‘zombie’ manager waiting for the axe to fall.
Officially dressed up as ‘not wanting an incoming manager to face two difficult opening games’ the decision to keep Potter in place until the international break has been roundly condemned as ‘chucking six points away’ – any new manager would relish the ‘free hits’ of the upcoming games away at Everton and Arsenal.
However it may be that this is simply a pretext and that there are deeper reasons for the Hammers not moving to appoint Potter’s successor yet. According to footballinsider247.com’s “exclusive” today, West Ham have been forced into this public ‘U’ turn through necessity:
“Graham Potter will get a stay of execution at West Ham United until after the international break” they claim, explaining the reason for the deferment:
“Nottingham Forest sacked Nuno earlier this month, and the Portuguese manager still has some legal issues to sort out regarding his City Ground exit before he can be given the West Ham job. It is believed that the delay will last until after the international break, which would see Potter’s sacking pushed back until the middle of next month.”
Which would still tie in with the international break, meaning if West Ham do appoint Nuno Espírito Santo, he will be in place seeking the ‘new manager bounce’ for the Brentford Game on the 20th when the Premier League resumes.
Leaving Potter with a pretty pointless ten days ahead : At the end of the season, the odd point picked up or lost in these two fixtures could prove crucial, so many would think it better to dismiss Potter now and appoint the u21 manager Mark Robson as caretaker for two fixtures – simply to start moving forwards.
However, nothing, it seems, is simple these days at West Ham United.
You are all taking for granted he’s going to be sacked this is sullivan you’re dealing with he’s hoping potter can get a result against Everton then he will give him until Christmas. Watch this space
Trevor Brooking was the best West Ham manager ever and his interim record was 14 games with 9 wins and 1 loss. The football was also brilliant to watch.
Great call on mark robson he as got the under 21 playing really good football and get kevin keen along side him until nuno ready
Feel a bit sorry for Potter, seems a decent bloke but his judgement is more than a bit off. But I will say that he has got some decent young talent through the door so hopefully there will still be some benefit to his appointment in the long run.
Get rid of Potter now let U21 guy take charge. Relegation may come down to goal difference..
With Potter there can see Arsenal getting double figures if they fancied it !!
Forest will likely drag this out then, there is no incentive to make Nuno’s life easier and if true it’s incredibly naive of the club contract issues can take months or longer to resolve.
Ditch Nuno and go with an alternative.
You couldn’t make this up! Keystone cops stuff. This whole fiasco is like a circus, with David Sullivan as the ringmaster. Where have I heard that before? 🤡🤣
He’s seems a decent person Potter in which case we’re missing the human element to all this.
Rather than showcasing to the world our intentions and as you say Martin, Potter being in a ‘Zombie’ state until the axe ultimately falls, West Ham could have done the decent thing and relieved him of his managerial duties straight after the Palace game and put Mark Robson or Mark Noble in temporary charge for two games.
The legal stuff was always holding things up as well as other elements we wouldn’t be privy to. But playing this out so publicly with the guy still in charge is so West Ham under this regime.
Clowns!!!!
So the next coach’s first game would be against Brentford. An attempt to undermine the boycott?
you’d have to think so…
When I think of interim coaches at West Ham I think of Kevin Keen – played 2 lost 2 I think
Not a bad idea install Mark Robson maybe in the short term and then wait to make the right appointment.
So we have to put up with JWP and kilman for at least another 2 games as we roll over and take a pounding.
My thoughts exactly = Fire Potter, and put in place a West Ham interim coach until the new appointment takes place. Club interim coaches over the years have had awesome successes at the various Premier League clubs. But as you say, things at West Ham ain’t simple !