West Ham United are evaluating the future of manager Julen Lopetegui amid mounting pressure, with former Chelsea manager Graham Potter emerging as the leading candidate to take the helm. While club officials haven't confirmed Lopetegui's dismissal, the 58-year-old's position appears increasingly precarious following recent catastrophic results.
The Hammers' situation has deteriorated dramatically after suffering back-to-back heavy defeats - a 5-0 thrashing at Liverpool followed by a 4-1 demolition at Manchester City. These results have left the London club languishing in 14th place, just seven points clear of the relegation zone.
Adding fuel to the speculation, photographs have emerged showing West Ham's technical director Tim Steidten in discussions with Graham Potter. While the timing of this meeting remains unverified, it has intensified rumors of an impending managerial switch.
Lopetegui, who narrowly avoided dismissal before December's clash with Wolves, had temporarily steadied the ship with a victory that sparked a four-game unbeaten run - the team's finest stretch this season. However, recent hammerings appear to have erased any goodwill earned during that period.
In a telling development, Steidten has relocated from the club's training ground. While officially attributed to focusing on January transfer targets, this move mirrors the deteriorating relationship between Steidten and former manager David Moyes toward the end of last season.
The club faces additional challenges with their talismanic captain Jarrod Bowen sidelined with a broken foot and Michail Antonio still recovering from injuries sustained in a car accident last month. These setbacks have made securing a striker during the January transfer window a top priority.
Potter, who has been out of management since leaving Chelsea in April 2023, had previously signaled his readiness to return to the dugout in September. His managerial portfolio includes successful spells at Ostersund, Swansea, and Brighton before his brief stint at Chelsea.
With West Ham's crucial FA Cup third-round clash against Aston Villa approaching on Friday, uncertainty looms over who will lead the team at Villa Park. The club has remained tight-lipped regarding Lopetegui's status for this pivotal fixture.
