Who's Next for West Ham? Managerial Options

Graham Potter

West Ham United's managerial search heats up. Explore the top contenders, including Nuno Espírito Santo, Slaven Bilić, and Gary O'Neil.

Another London derby and another defeat for West Ham United, this time against a resurgent Crystal Palace that are now unbeaten in 17 matches in all competitions...

For Graham Potter, he can't buy a home win this season and, in fact, since he took over the hot seat at the Hammers back in January, he's only seen his side win two games at the London Stadium in all competitions.

The first came against Fulham in Potter's opener in East London, and the only other game where the home support got to celebrate three points was in February against Ruud van Nistelrooy's turgid Leicester City side, who were subsequently relegated.

At the very least, any manager has to win his home games and hopefully pick up the odd point here or there on the road and let's be clear, Julen Lopetegui was sacked for a record that was better than his successor.

West Ham United's Managerial Conundrum

Graham Potter's tenure as West Ham United manager has been underwhelming, with only six wins in 25 games, translating to a disappointing 24% win percentage. The sole win this season came against Nottingham Forest, exacerbating concerns about his ability to lead the team to success. Potter's home record is particularly concerning, with only one win at the London Stadium this season.

The West Ham ownership, led by David Sullivan and Karren Brady, faces a difficult decision regarding Potter's future. Sacking him would require paying out the remaining year and a half of his contract, a costly proposition. Furthermore, such a move would implicitly acknowledge that the club made a mistake in hiring him, adding to the complexity of the situation.

Graham Potter following today’s defeat to Crystal Palace. 🗣️

— West Ham United (@WestHam) September 20, 2025

West Ham United's recent performance has put immense pressure on manager Graham Potter, with the team failing to secure wins in crucial matches. If they don't manage to beat Everton or Arsenal before the international break, the board might consider taking drastic action, potentially sacking Potter. This would mean the club would have gone through two managers in under 50 games, a worrying trend.

The statistics under Lopetegui and Potter haven't been favorable, with 47 matches played, resulting in 24 defeats, 10 draws, and only 13 wins. Given the team's current standing and performance, fans and critics alike are questioning the managerial decisions and strategies employed by the current coaching staff. The board's potential decision to act would likely be influenced by the team's inability to secure consistent wins and climb up the league table.

Former Hammer emerges as frontrunner

If the rumours that are swirling, which suggest that the board are considering all available options, are accurate, then it is paramount that the same recruitment mistakes are not made again because there would appear to be a feeling of being at another tipping point in the club's history.

Some of the names being touted as Potter's replacement, either short or long-term, may not inspire confidence, though it's worth taking note of the data to see whether it would support any candidature or not.

Slaven Bilić, a former West Ham United player and manager, has re-emerged as a top contender for the managerial position. Notably, he oversaw the team's final season at Upton Park and their inaugural season at the London Stadium. Despite his unique connection to the club, Bilić's previous stint as manager ended in termination in 2017 due to lackluster results.

Since his departure from West Ham, Bilić has managed several clubs, including Al-Ittihad, West Bromwich Albion, Beijing Guoan, Watford, and Al-Fateh. Unfortunately, his tenure at these clubs ended in dismissal or mutual agreement. 

His managerial record includes:

• Al-Ittihad: Sacked after six wins in 20 matches
• West Bromwich Albion: Sacked due to poor start to the season, despite leading the club to promotion back to the Premier League in the 2019-2020 season
• Beijing Guoan: Parted ways in January 2022
• Watford: Sacked in March 2023, despite the team sitting in ninth position
• Al-Fateh: Ended contract by mutual agreement in August 2024

Bilić's experience and tactical prowess make him a notable candidate for the managerial position. His ability to lead teams to success, as seen during his time with West Bromwich Albion, could be an asset for West Ham United. However, his inconsistent record at other clubs raises concerns about his long-term viability.

Slaven Bilić stands out as one of the most successful managers in West Ham United's recent history. Aside from David Moyes, he boasts the best managerial record of the last decade, with an impressive 38 more wins and 28 more draws than Manuel Pellegrini and Sam Allardyce combined. His stats showcase 23 home wins and 15 away wins, with a win percentage of 37.6%. Notably, Bilić's goal tally of 146 is one of the highest, with only Moyes surpassing him despite overseeing 124 more games.

Bilić's managerial career extends beyond West Ham, with notable stints at Hajduk Split, Croatia's national team, Lokomotiv Moscow, Beşiktaş, Al-Ittihad, West Bromwich Albion, Beijing Guoan, Watford, and Al-Fateh. His achievements include guiding West Bromwich Albion to promotion back to the Premier League and leading West Ham to a seventh-place finish in the 2015-2016 season, securing a UEFA Europa League spot. With a career win percentage of 38.86% and 216 wins in 480 matches, Bilić's experience and tactical prowess make him a strong contender for top managerial positions.

Gary O'Neil's Potential Appointment as West Ham Manager

Gary O'Neil is a contender to replace Graham Potter as West Ham United manager, boasting Premier League experience from his stints at Bournemouth and Wolverhampton Wanderers. The 42-year-old English coach has a mixed managerial record, with 31 wins and 52 defeats in 100 matches. Despite his recent sacking from Wolves, O'Neil's familiarity with the Premier League and his former role as a West Ham player could make him a viable option.

Managerial Record:

• AFC Bournemouth: 11 wins, 6 draws, 20 losses (29.73% win percentage)
• Wolverhampton Wanderers: 20 wins, 11 draws, 32 losses (31.75% win percentage)

West Ham United's co-owner, David Sullivan, faces pressure from fans to make ambitious decisions. Given the club's current standing and performance, appointing a manager who can stabilize the team and guide them to safety might be more prudent than opting for O'Neil, whose previous record doesn't inspire confidence. Other candidates, such as Nuno Espirito Santo and Kieran McKenna, are also being considered.

Gary O'Neil's managerial record raises concerns about his suitability to lead West Ham United out of its current struggles. With a win percentage of 31%, he's managed exactly 100 games, securing 31 wins, 17 draws, and 52 losses. His recent stint at Wolverhampton Wanderers ended with the team in 19th place, four points from safety, which isn't ideal given West Ham's similar position in the Premier League table.

Managerial Statistics:

• Total Matches: 100
• Wins: 31 (31%)
• Draws: 17 (17%)
• Losses: 52 (52%)
• Points per Match: 1.10

O'Neil's experience managing Bournemouth and Wolverhampton Wanderers has yielded mixed results. At Bournemouth, he preserved the team's Premier League status but was dismissed after the 2022-2023 season. His tenure at Wolves concluded with a 2-1 home defeat to Ipswich Town, leading to his dismissal.

Gary O'Neil's managerial record shows a win percentage of 31% in 100 games, with 31 wins, 17 draws, and 52 losses. This raises concerns about his suitability to lead West Ham United to success, especially considering their current struggles. O'Neil's experience managing Bournemouth and Wolverhampton Wanderers has yielded mixed results, preserving Premier League status at Bournemouth but struggling at Wolves.

In contrast, Slaven Bilić boasts a win percentage of 37.6% with West Ham, securing 38 wins in 101 matches. His team scored 146 goals, just 11 more than O'Neil's 135 goals in 100 games. While Bilić's attacking prowess might not be significantly higher, his overall record and familiarity with the club make him a strong contender.

Ultimately, the decision between O'Neil and Bilić depends on West Ham United's priorities and what they're looking for in a manager. If they value experience, familiarity, and a winning record, Bilić might be the better choice. If they're seeking a dynamic, adaptable approach, O'Neil could be worth considering.

Nuno Espírito Santo for West Ham United: A Strong Contender

Nuno Espírito Santo's managerial record makes him an attractive candidate to lead West Ham United. 

Here are some key points to consider: 

Premier League Experience: Nuno has extensive experience managing in the Premier League with Wolverhampton Wanderers, Tottenham Hotspur, and Nottingham Forest.

Win Percentage: His win percentages at Wolves (45.6% in 2018/19) and Nottingham Forest (45.5% last season) demonstrate his ability to get results in the top flight.

Tactical Acumen: Nuno is known for his disciplined and dynamic football style, focusing on defensive structure and efficient transitions.

Team Leadership: He has a strong track record of building cohesive teams, evident in his time at Wolves and Nottingham Forest.

Recent Performance: Despite being sacked by Nottingham Forest, Nuno led the team to a seventh-place finish and qualification for the Europa League last season.

Given his experience, tactical prowess, and ability to inspire team spirit, Nuno Espírito Santo could be an excellent fit for West Ham United's managerial role. Yes, Nuno is a strong contender for the position.

Nuno Espírito Santo's managerial record indicates he might be a suitable candidate for West Ham United, despite concerns about his style. His worst campaign, 2023/24 with Nottingham Forest, still boasted a 26.9% win percentage, surpassing Graham Potter's current record. However, four of his eight Premier League seasons saw his teams being outscored by opponents, raising questions about his defensive approach.

Nuno's tactical setup often focuses on defensive solidity and swift counter-attacks, which worked wonders for Nottingham Forest, guiding them back into Europe. This approach might not align with West Ham fans' expectations, who might prefer a more attacking style. Nevertheless, Nuno's expertise in stabilizing teams and creating discipline among players could be beneficial for West Ham United.

Defeat to Palace. pic.twitter.com/uuyVElt5I6

— West Ham United (@WestHam) September 20, 2025

Key Considerations:

Defensive Solidity: Nuno's teams often prioritize defense, which could address West Ham's current defensive woes.

Counter-Attacking Style: His teams are known for swift transitions, which could catch opponents off guard.

Fan Expectations: West Ham fans might be hesitant to adopt a more defensive approach, given their desire for attacking football.

- *Managerial Experience*: Nuno has extensive Premier League experience, having managed Wolverhampton Wanderers, Tottenham Hotspur, and Nottingham Forest.

Ultimately, the decision to appoint Nuno Espírito Santo depends on West Ham United's priorities and what they're looking for in a manager. If they value defensive stability and tactical acumen, Nuno might be an excellent fit.