Graham Potter has been the victim of a decision West Ham made in Julen Lopetegui era
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Alex Oakhill
Thu 25 September 2025 19:30, UK
Graham Potter has been a victim of a decision that was made during the Julen Lopetegui era at West Ham United.
Lopetegui was appointed by West Ham in the summer of 2024, but was sacked just eight months later after a disappointing tenure, being replaced by Potter.
So far, the former Chelsea and Brighton boss hasn’t fared much better than his predecessor, and tensions are rising around the East London club.
Potter is under huge pressure at West Ham, and it looks to be just a matter of time before he is dismissed.
Credit: Hasan Karim, Breaking Media
Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – believes that Potter has been hindered by decisions made during Lopetegui’s time in charge.
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Wyness insisted that despite getting a couple of summer signings over the line, the 50-year-old hasn’t been given major backing due to the previous tenure.
During Lopetegui’s first and only transfer window, West Ham made a net loss of around £85million, putting them on the back foot in terms of profit and sustainability rules.
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Wyness added that factors out of his control have gone against Potter, which will ultimately lead to his departure.
He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “I think for Potter, his days are numbered, I’m afraid.
But it’s been a bit of a shame because Potter seems to be a manager who needs time to get his own principles and his own ethos into a club.
He hasn’t had the time.
“So I feel a little bit sorry for him, but we all know the pressure in the Premier League, and I do think that things have turned, and I don’t see the results turning around anytime soon.
Potter, but I’m afraid sometimes there are factors that are out of your control and they conspire against you.
He’ll have a nice payoff, I’m sure, and he’ll go on to another job, but West Ham need to fix the bleeding pretty quick.”
On Wednesday (24 September), Football Insider exclusively revealed that Potter would get a stay of execution at West Ham until after the international break.
Sources say that the 50-year-old dismissal has been put on pause after the Hammers’ talks with Espirito Santo hit a stumbling block.
Credit: Hasan Karim, Breaking Media
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.
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