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(Credit: Hasan Karim, Breaking Media)
Callum O'Connell
Mon 18 August 2025 11:00, UK
Graham Potter is facing immediate pressure on his position at West Ham after a “disastrous” start to the season, according to their former scout.
Mick Brown, who also worked as the chief scout at Man United and Blackburn and remains very well-connected at his former clubs, exclusively told Football Insider that the 50-year-old is “definitely” under pressure with frustrations lingering from last season.
A 3-0 defeat to Sunderland on the opening day of the Premier League season saw the newly-promoted side pile the pressure on the Hammers boss.
Since taking over from Julen Lopetegui in January, he has won just five of his 20 games in charge, and there is a growing feeling that the form must improve soon.
Brown told Football Insider in May that West Ham are asking serious questions of Potter at the London Stadium as pressure continues to intensify.
Graham Potter is already under pressure at West Ham.
(Credit: Imago)
The closing stages of last season had heightened concerns about the manager’s performances and ability to get the best out of the players at his disposal.
However, Football Insider revealed on 13 April that West Ham were unlikely to sack Potter and instead planned to back him to improve his squad in the transfer window.
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This article contains exclusive comment from Mick Brown, a football transfer expert and former chief scout for Man United and Sunderland among others.
Despite having signed El Hadji Malick Diouf, Mads Hermansen, Kyle Walker-Peters and Callum Wilson, the defeat to Sunderland has done little to ease the pressure.
Brown, who has a wealth of experience working closely with top-level managers including the likes of Sir Alex Ferguson, Ron Atkinson and David Moyes, insisted that Potter is “definitely” under pressure and must unsure results improve.
“The manager is definitely under pressure,” he told Football Insider.
“Things weren’t good enough when he took over last season, and the defeat to Sunderland was a disastrous way to start the new season.
“He has done very little so far to show that he’s taking the club in the right direction.
“Unfortunately it doesn’t come as much of a surprise to me.
“I don’t think the club is set up for managers to be able to succeed, it always felt to me that there is a laxness that emanates from the top.
David Sullivan may have a big call to make already.
(Credit: Imago)
“They’re a big club, West Ham, and sometimes it feels like they think that’s enough to see them through.
“But aside from that, the manager has to be doing better with the squad he’s got.
“It’s the same for anybody, if you’re not winning games then the pressure keeps building, because ultimately that’s what you’re there to do.
“Whether it’s entirely down to him is a different question, but something has to improve.”
Despite the ongoing pressure on Potter, there is still work to be done in the transfer market, including moving on some of the club’s fringe players.
Football Insider revealed on 17 August that West Ham could sell Andy Irving amid growing interest from both Celtic and Rangers to bring him back to Scotland.
Andy Irving could be on his way out at West Ham.
(Credit: Imago)
The one-cap Scotland international is keen to play more regular minutes and is expected to jump at the opportunity to play European football this season.
This comes after former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson told Football Insider that Irving could join Celtic “next week” as they push to agree terms.
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