West Ham United are weighing the possibility of dismissing head coach Julen Lopetegui, with former Chelsea and Brighton manager Graham Potter emerging as a potential replacement.
Discussions between the club and Potter have reportedly taken place, adding uncertainty to Lopetegui’s future.
While club sources have denied that Lopetegui has already been sacked, they acknowledge the Spaniard is under immense pressure following a series of disappointing performances.
The 58-year-old was appointed last summer as David Moyes’ successor but has struggled to bring consistency or an improved playing style to the team. Despite a brief resurgence that included a four-game unbeaten run after a crucial win against Wolves, West Ham have since suffered heavy defeats—a 5-0 home drubbing by Liverpool and a 4-1 loss at Manchester City. These results have left the Hammers 14th in the Premier League, just seven points above the relegation zone.
West Ham’s technical director, Tim Steidten, has been photographed in discussions with Graham Potter, further fueling speculation about Lopetegui’s potential departure. The image, which has circulated widely on social media, is said to be recent, though its authenticity has not been independently verified.
Potter, 48, has been out of management since his dismissal from Chelsea in April 2023 but recently expressed his readiness to return to club football. The former Brighton and Swansea boss was also linked to the England managerial role earlier in the year.
In addition to the managerial uncertainty, West Ham are grappling with key injuries. Club captain Jarrod Bowen is sidelined with a broken foot, while Michail Antonio sustained serious injuries in a car crash last month. These setbacks have intensified the need for reinforcements in the January transfer window, with Steidten reportedly focused on identifying potential signings.
Notably, Steidten is no longer working from the club’s training ground—a situation reminiscent of tensions between David Moyes and the technical director during the latter stages of last season. Club sources, however, have clarified that Steidten’s current focus is on securing transfer targets.
West Ham are scheduled to face Aston Villa in the FA Cup third round on Friday, but there is no clarity on whether Lopetegui will oversee the match. With mounting speculation and internal challenges, the club faces a critical juncture as they navigate both managerial decisions and squad reinforcements in the weeks ahead.
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