West Ham have opened talks with Graham Potter with a view to appointing him as their next manager, but the former Chelsea chief is also admired by Everton, who are assessing Sean Dyche’s future
Graham Potter is a wanted man with Everton and West Ham both considering a managerial change.
Potter, 49, has been out of work since he was sacked by Chelsea back in 2023 but has emerged as West Ham’s preferred candidate to succeed Julen Lopetegui, who is on the brink of being sacked.
It’s understood that the Hammers technical director, Tim Steidten, has already held talks with Potter about the role. However, their pursuit of the former Brighton coach could be complicated by Everton, who are thought to be internally assessing Sean Dyche’s future.
The Toffees have new owners following the Friedkin Group’s takeover and Dyche’s position is in question after overseeing just one win from the last 11 games.
It’s understood Everton would also be interested in appointing Potter as their new boss should they sack Dyche. But while it remains to be seen if he will get the boot, Lopetegui is all but certain to be axed once West Ham have reached an agreement in principle with a successor, with Potter their No.1 target.
Lopetegui was appointed by the Hammers back in the summer after David Moyes left at the end of his contract. But the Spaniard has failed to impress at the London Stadium.
It emerged on Monday that Lopetegui’s position was in serious jeopardy and that Potter had already been approached for talks over succeeding the former Wolves chief.
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Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher believes Potter and West Ham would be a good fit after the club moved on from Moyes in a bid to evolve their playing style; a remit Lopetegui has been unable to meet.
He said: “The whole reason they moved away from David Moyes was not actually the results as such – the last season wasn’t great, they had better seasons. In the main Moyes did a good job at West Ham. But I always felt West Ham wanted their ‘De Zerbi”, a guy who comes in and plays brilliant football.
“But don’t forget it started with Graham Potter who came off the back of Chris Hughton who was a different type of manager and they [Brighton] wanted to change things. West Ham wanted to change things and be a team that’s on the front foot and take the game to the opposition.
“We know Potter can do that. If he can unlock some of the attacking talents West Ham have got, it’s a good move for both if the deal comes off.”
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