New Delhi: When Graham Potter was appointed as West Ham head coach in January, there was a lingering sense that the decision lacked full conviction from the club hierarchy. Initially, the chairman, David Sullivan, preferred a short-term deal lasting only until the end of the season, which Potter declined. The Hammers then reportedly explored a long contract with a break clause while simultaneously considering other candidates, such as a former AC Milan boss, Paulo Fonseca and ex-Paris Saint-Germain manager Christophe Galtier.
Ultimately, Potter was appointed as Julen Lopetegui’s replacement but the move never felt unequivocal. Potter leaves with a forgettable record of six wins from 25 matches, fewer than the seven victories Lopetegui managed in just 22 games. His possession-based style, meant to revive West Ham’s forward-thinking football tradition, largely failed to resonate, leaving fans frustrated. The final match came with last weekend’s home defeat to Crystal Palace amid supporters’ protests against the board and ownership.
In an aim to find a manager who is capable of steadying the ship, West Ham turned to Nuno as his record with Nottingham Forest and Wolves was good, as he guided both clubs away from relegation and demonstrated the kind of approach required to return from such a point in the league.
Nuno replaces Potter at West Ham 🔄 pic.twitter.com/Kwmrj9vhfJ
— Premier League (@premierleague) September 27, 2025
Why Nuno makes sense
After exploring multiple options, West Ham’s board sticks to Nuno. A former player and manager, Slaven Bilic was considered for a short-term stint until the end of the season and he even had a potential coaching team ready including Mark Noble and former defender James Collins. However, the board recognized Nuno’s stock is higher and he would demand a contract reflecting his track record, which the club ultimately agreed to with a three-year deal.
Potter informed his squad of his departure on Saturday at the Essex training centre with some players reportedly shocked with the call. Despite retaining support from certain senior players, Potter’s inconsistent results and tactical approach had divided the dressing room. At the same time, the club’s recruitment and executive structure limited from implementing his vision fully. The appointment of Kyle Macaulay as head of recruitment and Tim Steidten as technical director were steps toward modernising the club, but internal restructuring did not go as smoothly as planned.
Sullivan and his son, Jack, who is a club director, remain influential in decision-making. Despite the internal tensions and fan criticism, Nuno’s arrival clears the clouds. While Potter struggled to translate possession-based football into results, the Portuguese’s pragmatic, results-focused approach gives the Hammers their best chance to steady the ship and climb out of the relegation zone, as they currently sit second from bottom in the points table.
Looking ahead
As Nuno takes over, the Hammers will look to replicate the success he has achieved with his earlier clubs. The immediate task will be to lift the team out of the relegation zone and instil consistency. With Potter gone and key staff such as Macaulay likely to follow, much responsibility will fall on Nuno to establish a clear vision. West Ham fans may long for the relative stability of recent years, but pragmatism now takes priority over ideology.
With Nuno in charge, the club now has a manager who can deliver survival and potentially help build a more competitive future in the club.