West Ham vice-chair Karren Brady met with Nuno Espirito Santo and his representatives about potentially replacing Graham Potter, Hammers News understands.
- Hammers News exclusive with Graeme Bailey
West Ham fans will line the streets leading to the director’s entrance in protest ahead of the game against Crystal Palace.
After a vote of no confidence in the ownership from West Ham’s Fan Advisory Board, Hammers fans will now underline their discontent with plans for a series of peaceful protests.
The ultimate goal is to force vice-chair Karren Brady and majority owner David Sullivan to make major changes at the very top of the club, either by leaving or stepping aside from the day-to-day running of West Ham.
Most Hammers supporters feel Graham Potter is a symptom rather than the cause of West Ham’s ills.
Karren Brady met with Nuno Espirito Santo about West Ham job
Indeed some have sympathy with Potter given a lack of substantial backing to make wholesale changes to the Hammers squad over the summer.
But Potter’s underwhelming tenure at the London Stadium thus far, which has seen West Ham win just six of 24 games under him, means the jury is very much out on the Englishman.
After four damaging defeats from five games so far this season, it has been claimed Potter could be sacked if West Ham lose to Palace.
The likes of sacked Nottingham Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo, Kieran McKenna and even former Hammers manager Slaven Bilic have been linked as potential replacements should Potter be axed.
Jose Mourinho had also been linked after he left Fenerbahce.
But David Sullivan ruled out ever appointing Jose Mourinho as West Ham boss and he has now taken over at Benfica.
Since then it has been claimed out-of-work Nuno Espirito Santo has been added to West Ham’s list if they sack Potter.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s stance on the Hammers job was also revealed last weekend.
Ahead of the vital game against the Eagles, who are unbeaten in 16 games, a top Sky Sports reporter issued a major new statement on Potter which appears to have come from inside West Ham.
Jorge Mendes factor revealed if West Ham axe Potter
Sullivan has cut off West Ham-related media citing a lack of support amid the fan protests.
On Thursday, Hammers News revealed the return of Slaven Bilic is seen as an ‘interesting option’ for West Ham if Potter cannot turn things around.
Confidence he can do that appears to be waning, even among his biggest champion – Brady.
That’s according to Chief Football Correspondent Graeme Bailey, who has revealed a major development regarding West Ham’s contingency plans should Potter be fired.
Because under-fire Brady met with Nuno Espirito Santo about the West Ham job as the Jorge Mendes factor is revealed.
Bailey has told Hammers News that Brady met with the ex Forest boss and his representation this week to discuss the possibility of him becoming the new West Ham manager.
Brady, who trumpeted current boss Potter after the sacking of Julen Lopetegui, is said to be doing work on options to replace him amid mounting pressure.
Hammers News understands that Sullivan is considering Bilic, as we confirmed, and now we can reveal that other options are being put to him including Nuno.
Nuno departed Nottingham Forest earlier this month after a falling out with owner Evangelos Marinakis – partly over player transfers.
That factor could have a huge say on whether West Ham push ahead with a move for Nuno if Potter is sacked.
Because Bailey points out that Nuno likes to use his own people for signings, which includes super agent Jorge Mendes.
Potter under mounting pressure as Hammers line up alternatives
That was not possible when ex Arsenal sporting director Edu moved to Forest as the Brazilian is known to work with Kia Joorabchian.
That is a name very familiar to West Ham United supporters charting back to the signings of Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano – and a failed Hammers takeover attempt.
It appears the game against Palace is more a case of must not lose rather than must-win for Potter.
But with away matches against Everton and Arsenal up next, things don’t get any easier for the ex Chelsea boss.
Especially with the spectre of Nuno now hanging over his position.
The Mendes factor will be significant in any progression of a move for Nuno.
The former Forest boss will have no shortage of offers and it will be interesting to see if Sullivan and Brady cede a level of control over recruitment should Nuno insist on Mendes having a big say.
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