Sources: New favourite emerges in West Ham manager race as three leading candidates named
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(Credit: Hasan Karim, Breaking Media, Imago)
Pete O'Rourke, Transfer Correspondent
Fri 26 September 2025 14:45, UK
Graham Potter’s position as West Ham manager remains under threat as the club continue to weigh up their potential replacements.
Football Insider exclusively revealed on 28 August that West Ham are exploring alternatives to Potter as they pave the way for his dismissal after a dismal start to the season.
The Hammers have lost four of their five league games so far, while West Ham fans have called for Potter to be sacked, putting pressure on the board to make a decision.
With protests ongoing towards the board, it is expected to be only a matter of time until the manager is dismissed, with potential replacements being assessed.
Now, three new managers have been identified as options to take Potter’s place, with Nuno Espirito Santo, Gary O’Neil and Slaven Bilic heading their shortlist.
Credit: Imago
Football Insider revealed on 24 September that West Ham have delayed hiring Nuno amid an ongoing legal dispute with his former club, Nottingham Forest.
However, as I revealed on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, the former Forest boss remains the Hammers’ top target to replace Potter should they pull the trigger.
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O’Neil has emerged as the second choice as things stand, although Bilic is also seen as a leading candidate given his relationship with David Sullivan.
Speaking on the Inside Track podcast, I explained: “West Ham are speaking to candidates to replace Potter, so the writing is on the wall for him long-term.
“Nuno, obviously, I think right now is the favourite for the role having left Nottingham Forest earlier this season, but the finances involved will come into their thinking.
“If that’s too expensive a deal to do, they have got other options, Gary O’Neil is the second choice, the former Wolves and Bournemouth manager is interested in the role at West Ham.
Credit: Imago
“Then you’ve got Slaven Bilic, who is out of work after leaving the Saudi Pro League not too long ago and as a former West Ham player and manager would be very interested in the job.
“A lot will depend on what West Ham decide they want to do, but right now Nuno is probably the favourite due to what he did at Nottingham Forest where he did a great job getting them back into European football.”
With three top bosses on their radar, Sullivan and the West Ham board have been given a decision to make with regard to the future of the position.
Football Insider revealed on 26 September that Potter will be given a stay of execution at West Ham and has until the next international break to save his job.
Games against Everton and Arsenal before the break will prove vital to his future at the London Stadium, with two wins needed to ease the pressure on his position.
This comes after Football Insider revealed on 19 September that Potter had four games to save his job at West Ham – and the following defeat to Crystal Palace has shortened that leash.
Credit: Imago
Football Insider revealed on 16 September that West Ham are set to stick with Potter for the time being, but the growing pressure has made their position difficult.
With fans continually calling for the boss to be sacked, and ramping up pressure on the board, it is now expected to be a matter of when rather than if the trigger is pulled.
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