'No one saw this coming' - Expert: West Ham next manager verdict after Frank Lampard reveal
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(Credit: Imago)
Callum O'Connell
Sat 6 September 2025 8:00, UK
Graham Potter is still fighting for his job at West Ham despite their 3-0 win against Nottingham Forest, according to their former senior scout.
Mick Brown, who also worked as the chief scout at Man United and Sunderland and remains very well-connected at his former clubs, exclusively told Football Insider that the Hammers’ first win of the season has given the boss room to breathe.
However, he must now put together a run of results to bring back the confidence of the fans and board following the international break.
Football Insider revealed on 25 August that Potter is facing growing pressure at West Ham and their upcoming fixtures could prove decisive.
Ex-Hammers star Frank Lampard has been sounded out about potentially replacing the beleaguered incumbent in the West Ham dugout.
The Irons will face Tottenham, Crystal Palace, Everton and Arsenal over their next four games in a run which could make or break Potter’s spell in East London.
This comes after Football Insider exclusively revealed on 28 August that West Ham are exploring their options to replace Potter as they pave the way for his exit.
Credit: Imago
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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.
Brown told Football Insider on 27 August that West Ham are unlikely to sack Potter despite the growing pressure on his position after a poor start to the season.
The former scout, who has a wealth of experience working closely alongside elite-level managers including the likes of Sir Alex Ferguson and Ron Atkinson, insisted that the boss now has to build on their success against Nottingham Forest.
“The Nottingham Forest win has certainly eased the pressure on Potter,” he told Football Insider.
“It was a brilliant result for West Ham; no one saw this coming.
“So maybe it’s put them on a good footing to push on and improve their season, but maybe it’s one of those freak results you get every now and then.
“That’s what they’ll have to look out for after this international break.
Credit: Getty Images
“Potter needs to build on that result and put a run together if he wants to really remove that pressure, because at the moment it’s still there, one result doesn’t change that.
“It gives him a bit of time and space to work, which is always important.
“But now it’s about their next two, three, four games where he has to keep getting results.
“If they go back to losing heavily like they did against Sunderland and Chelsea, then one win against Forest isn’t going to mean anything.
“So that pressure is still there, but for now at least it has been eased.”
West Ham endured a difficult transfer window at the London Stadium, but were boosted late on when Lucas Paqueta made clear he would be staying despite interest.
Brown told Football Insider on 2 September that Paqueta decided to stay at West Ham despite the club’s plans to accept a late offer from Aston Villa.
Credit: Imago
Paqueta sent a clear message about his future by pretending to throw away a phone before kissing the Hammers badge after scoring against Nottingham Forest.
This came after Football Insider revealed on 1 September that Paqueta would be allowed to leave West Ham if the right offer came in late in the window.
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