A top West Ham insider with close links to David Sullivan has provided an intriguing update on the managerial situation.
David Sullivan and the West Ham board had a major change of heart on Julen Lopetegui yesterday.
As a result the Spaniard is now close to the sack with Graham Potter being lined up to replace him.
But Potter is not the only name in the West Ham frame it has since emerged.
Everton are also rivalling West Ham for Potter.
And there may be a longer contract on offer with the Toffees who will be under new ownership as they move to a new stadium.
The former Brighton and Chelsea boss is reportedly taking some time to make up his mind.
West Ham weigh-up ex Milan boss
Meanwhile West Ham cannot fire Lopetegui until they are sure they have a replacement lined up.
Steve Cooper has reportedly been spoken to by the Hammers, much to the anger of many West Ham fans.
A Nottingham Forest journalist has today warned West Ham will deserve everything they get if they appoint Cooper.
By dithering over Lopetegui for so long, the Hammers missed out on what may have been a once-in-a-lifetime chance to hire Sergio Conceicao.
Several credible sources claimed he wanted the West Ham job.
But AC Milan have since swooped to make the charismatic Portuguese their new boss, with Conceicao becoming an instant hit at the San Siro.
While talks continue with Potter, other candidates reportedly include Gary O’Neil and Christophe Galtier.
Now a Sullivan confidant has shared the probability of Potter taking over as West Ham weigh-up an ex Milan boss.
Football correspondent Graeme Bailey has told Hammers News that he understands Sullivan has spoken to Paulo Fonseca about potentially replacing Lopetegui.
Sullivan confidant shares Potter probability for West Ham
The 51-year-old is a former Porto, SC Braga, Shakhtar Donetsk, Lille and Roma boss.
Sullivan interviewed Fonseca for the Hammers job back in 2018.
He was reportedly on West Ham’s shortlist to replace David Moyes at the end of last season as his contract ran down at Lille.
Many Hammers fans wanted him over Lopetegui. The same was true at Milan, whose fans launched a major protest against Lopetegui’s appointment which saw a contract offer withdrawn.
The Spaniard then ended up at West Ham and Fonseca became Milan boss.
He was sacked last week, though, and replaced by Conceicao.
All roads still seem to be pointing to Potter, though, for West Ham.
Because Sean Whetstone, who counts Sullivan and vice-chair Karren Brady among his contacts, says the probability of Potter being in charge of West Ham for the Fulham game on Tuesday is ‘growing by the hour’.
Whetstone insists there is an increasing chance Potter will be charge of that game at the London Stadium.
In an update, he states while nothing is set in stone yet, the ‘probability is growing hour by hour’.
Potter to West Ham grows closer ‘by the hour’
Sullivan is always keen to go with Premier League experience when assessing candidates.
And Bailey told Hammers News that could be the deciding factor between Potter and a candidate like Fonseca.
Potter was sacked by Chelsea in April 2023 and has been out of work ever since.
He rejected the chance to become Ajax manager in the summer and turned down Leicester too.
If he does agree to take over West Ham, it is expected Potter will be handed an initial six-month contract.
That will then be reviewed in the summer depending on any progress made in the second half of the season.
Potter has a proven track record of integrating young players into the first team.
That will undoubtedly appeal to West Ham, who have been disappointed by the lack of pathway for the stars of their 5-1 FA Youth Cup win over Arsenal in 2023.
Meanwhile two Arsenal players from that game are now first team regulars in the Premier League and Champions League under Mikel Arteta.
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