Credit: Hasan Karim - Breaking Media

Harri Burton

Sat 16 August 2025 18:03, UK

Graham Potter has only piled more pressure on himself after West Ham were thrashed by newly promoted Sunderland.

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Despite a bright start to proceedings at the Stadium of Light on Saturday, the sides went into half-time even, with the Hammers holding the majority of possession but not being able to break the deadlock.

After finishing 14th in the Premier League last season, Potter was already under heavy pressure from the fanbase, with many expecting the head coach to have a visit from David Sullivan over the summer.

However, Football Insider revealed last month that West Ham would push financial regulations to help facilitate a rebuild, suggesting that the club are behind the former Brighton and Chelsea figure.

Graham Potter’s first season at West Ham.

(Credit: Imago)

Just 90 minutes into the new season, though, and fans have stormed onto social media to make their feelings clear over Potter’s future in East London, and they are not very positive.

Eliezer Mayenda benefited from Mads Hermansen‘s poor goalkeeping, as did Wilson Isidor with the Black Cats’ third of the afternoon, sandwiching a smashing header from Man of the Match Dan Ballard.

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It marked Regis Le Bris’ first victory in the top flight, but during his time with the Hammers, it also marked Potter’s 10th defeat in 20 matches in charge since replacing Julen Lopetegui in January.

Some fans decided to give him the benefit of the doubt last season, with the bulk of the squad not able to adapt to his playing style, but there has been very little movement in the squad over the summer.

With Guido Rodriguez, Edson Alvarez, Konstantinos Mavropanos, and Nayef Aguerd all still in the squad, there is plenty of deadwood left in the squad.

Nonetheless, the manager is at fault for his tactics and decisions on the pitch, and one supporter has labelled him the “English Lopetegui” following the Spaniard’s incredibly poor reign in East London.

Various fans predicted when Potter will be fired, with claims ranging from “by Christmas”, through “by November”, up to “by September”.

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