While Frank Lampard, Gary O’Neil and Slaven Bilic have been mentioned already, alongside Nuno Espirito Santo, Kieran McKenna and Raphael Wicky, there is now a fourth former West Ham United hero reportedly in line to take Graham Potter’s job.
Points, wins and positives have been in very short supply so far this season. At least, there are plenty of potential alternatives should a usually-patient board send for the guillotine.
Hammers News exclusively revealed last week that David Sullivan could call upon Slaven Bilic for a second time. And while many West Ham fans have pointed out the irony of re-hiring a coach they sacked back in 2017, while the club claim to be looking towards the future, the popular Bilic would at least bring some much-needed personality and popularity to a dugout lacking both things.
Not only did Bilic guide West Ham United to their greatest-ever Premier League points tally of 65, he was also a big fan favourite during his days as a centre-back at Upton Park. The ever-charming Croatian finished runner-up in the 1997 Hammer of the Year voting, behind Julian Dicks.
Former midfielder Gary O’Neil is reportedly a leading candidate too.
Meanwhile, an agent source has told Hammers News that Frank Lampard may be tempted to leave Coventry in an attempt to rebuild those bridges, though a spokesman for the West Ham board indicates a rather uneasy relationship will not be rekindled.
Now, while throwing a fourth one-time claret and blue stalwart into the ring, Give Me Sport insist that Burnley boss Scott Parker cannot be discounted quite so easily.
Burnley manager Scott Parker linked with West Ham United return
Give Me Sport claim that Parker’s name has been brought up by the West Ham bosses.
He is far from the only name to be discussed – vice-chair Karren Brady held talks with Nuno Espirito Santo last week – but the man in charge at Turf Moor is worthy of consideration.
While his two most recent Premier League stints ended in disappointment – relegation with a talented Fulham side and then a sacking by Bournemouth following that 9-0 drubbing by Liverpool – Burnley’s start to life back in the top flight provides reason for optimism.
There has been just one win, against Sunderland. But Burnley fought back to claim a point against Nottingham Forest on Saturday, while both Liverpool and Manchester United needed stoppage-time penalties to see off a well-drilled, determined outfit.
And should a worst-case scenario arise, Parker has proven himself very adept at getting teams out of the Championship. He has three promotions on his CV already.
Josh Cullen says Parker did an ‘unbelievable’ job bringing Burnley back to the Premier League
A three-time Hammers Player of the Year during his playing days in a West Ham shirt, the former captain is also one of the most popular footballers in the club’s modern era. An inspirational leader on and off the field, Parker was even crowned the Football Writer’s Player of the Year in 2011 despite suffering relegation in that very same campaign.
West Ham academy graduate Josh Cullen captains Scott Parker’s Burnley these days.
Speaking to the Burnley Express in June, after promotion was secured via a 100-point haul, Cullen was glowing in his praise for a coach who picked up the wreckage left behind by Vincent Kompany’s disastrous 2023/24 season.
“[There are] probably not enough words I can say to praise the manager really,” Cullen beamed. “As a person, as a manager, as a professional, what he’s done since he’s come into the club…
“Like I said, off the back of a relegation, the previous manager leaving, a lot of overhauling players in the summer to come in and pull a group together the way he has and the way he’s led us, it’s been brilliant.
“And then obviously his tactical side to prepare us for games and go out there and be able to dominate games and get as many points as we have. 100 points is a lot down to him, believe me. So, yes, unbelievable.”
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