In a major twist, Nuno Espirito Santo is now edging closer to taking over from Graham Potter at West Ham, according to the top journalist who first broke the story.
A host of managers have been linked as replacements for Graham Potter.
But it is Nuno Espirito Santo and Slaven Bilic who have emerged as the frontrunners if – or more likely when – West Ham make a change.
The Hammers are a club in crisis on and off the pitch.
Fans are revolting against the owners, with 4,000 protesting ahead of the game against Crystal Palace.
Further protests are planned and fan groups are also asking their fellow supporters to boycott the next home game, against Brentford after the international break.
West Ham in crisis on and off the pitch
That boycott was one of the reasons some feel the West Ham hierarchy are holding off sacking Potter.
The 2-1 defeat to Palace means Potter has won just six of his 25 games in charge since taking over in January.
West Ham are in the bottom three of the fledgling Premier League table and out of the League Cup at the first hurdle.
Fans have been patient for signs of progress under Potter having given the Englishman grace last season.
His team selections, tactics and substitutions have left many Hammers fans baffled, though.
West Ham supporters fully turned on Potter during the Palace defeat.
His decision to substitute two of the team’s best players, Mateus Fernandes and Crysencio Summerville, at the same time while the Hammers were 2-1 down and chasing the game drew ferocious boos from the home crowd.
That was followed by chants of ‘You don’t know what you’re doing’ and ‘You’re getting sacked in the morning’.
Except he wasn’t and still hasn’t been at the time of writing.
It was widely reported going into the Palace game that it was a must-not-lose if Potter wanted to keep his job.
While West Ham fans place blame for the club’s situation squarely at the feet of David Sullivan, vice-chair Karren Brady and the board, there is an acknowledgement Potter should be doing far better.
Potter remained in post and took training on Monday.
It has been reported that West Ham were now going to give Potter the next two games purely because they don’t want any new manager to start with daunting away matches at Everton and Arsenal.
Nuno Espirito Santo closer to taking over West Ham
Given West Ham’s frailties from set-pieces and the prowess of both those sides in those situations, it is easy to see why many are predicting more heavy defeats.
That would then see the Hammers sack Potter and appoint his replacement in the two-week October international break.
There have been reports of a power struggle between Sullivan and Brady over West Ham’s next manager.
Brady has been pushing for Nuno Espirito Santo and Sullivan, it is claimed, favours Bilic.
Nuno was pictured near Sullivan’s Essex mansion after holding talks with the Hammers.
While Bilic is popular among supporters, many fans see his return as a backwards step.
Especially given he has not managed for over a year or at any top level for five years, since leaving West Brom.
While some supporters also have reservations over ex-Nottingham Forest boss Nuno, the job he did at the City Ground is clearly impressive.
Many Hammers fans were enraged when a host of sources claimed on Monday that the board were shying away from appointing Nuno because he is the more expensive option.
That’s despite the Portuguese being a free agent.
Now there seems to have been a hugely significant twist, though.
Because Nuno Espirito Santo is closer to taking over West Ham says a top journalist who first broke the story.
Back on September 14th, Scottish reporter Alan Nixon was the first to reveal West Ham want Nuno.
Nuno set to replace Potter at West Ham suggests top journalist
The news came the morning after West Ham’s dismal 3-0 defeat to bitter rivals Spurs.
With the likes of The Guardian’s Jacob Steinberg claiming Nuno was proving “too expensive” for Sullivan’s taste, it looked increasingly like a stay of execution for Potter or a clear path for Bilic.
But in a teasing update on Nixon’s X account, The Sun journalist has suggested a change in the Hammers dugout is now imminent.
Nixon re-posted his original story from September 14th on X on Monday night, stating: “This one getting closer…”
Things just got interesting.
Now is probably a good time for West Ham fans with reservations about the ex Wolves and Spurs man’s style of play to take note of Des Walker’s comments on Nuno Espirito Santo.
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