Journalist with links to David Sullivan makes astonishing West Ham claim if Graham Potter avoids sack.
There is more uncertainty around West Ham as a growing number of fans question whether Graham Potter should remain manager.
It is not just that West Ham have struggled to get lift off under Graham Potter.
But rather the fact they have gone backwards since he took over as Hammers boss from Julen Lopetegui.
Ex West Ham striker Dean Ashton has questioned whether Potter is a good fit.
Performances and results so far suggest further regression under the former Chelsea boss.
Just three wins from 14 games and familiar problems scoring goals which saw Potter questioned at Brighton and Stamford Bridge.
West Ham are 17th in the Premier League with five games to go.
Discontent growing already for Potter at West Ham
The Hammers board spoke out about Potter’s situation amid fan discontent following the extremely fortunate 1-1 draw with Southampton on Saturday.
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West Ham were lucky to get away with a point at home to the joint-worst team in Premier League history.
The London Stadium erupted in boos and jeers at the full-time whistle.
Striker Niclas Fullkrug went on an X-rated TV rant about his Hammers teammates after the game.
Hailed a hero by fans for speaking up about the alarming decline in standards at the club, unapologetic Fullkrug even doubled down on his actions 24 hours later.
There is a major debate among West Ham fans over Potter.
West Ham majority owner David Sullivan and a shocked Hammers head coach Graham Potter
Credit: GLYN KIRK/AFP/James Gill – Danehouse via Getty Images
And it presents the owners with yet another huge dilemma.
When West Ham were looking for a new manager to replace Lopetegui they refused to pay out to bring someone in.
That ruled out any in-work managers that many fans wanted such as Bournemouth’s Andoni Iraola or Brentford’s Thomas Frank.
Now they have both been left at the mercy of Spurs, if and when they replace Ange Postecoglou this summer.
Instead the club brought in Potter, who had been out of work for nearly two whole years – since his sacking by Chelsea in April 2023.
As Potter has proved himself, three months is a long time in football – let alone two years.
Journalist’s astonishing West Ham claim if Potter avoids sack
Many West Ham fans believe the club must hold their hands up to another managerial mistake and let Potter go this summer.
Especially as it stands to reason that Potter would not have been retained had David Sullivan had his way and appointed him on an initial six-month trial basis.
Other Hammers fans feel Potter must be given the summer window and time to make the team his own.
Although it is justifiably pointed out that there is no credible evidence so far or from his past that Potter is the right man for the long term – with ninth his best ever Premier League finish.
And it means West Ham face the gamble of rebuilding the squad around a manager many are unsure about.
Photo by Kevin Hodgson | MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Photo by Kevin Hodgson | MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Now a journalist with close links to Sullivan has made an astonishing West Ham claim if Potter avoids the sack.
The Guardian’s Jacob Steinberg has strong contacts with majority owner Sullivan being one of his key sources.
While the board have to vote on important club matters – such as managerial changes and spending anything over £1m – it is Sullivan who ultimately runs the show.
One look at the league table shows the Hammers cannot afford to get any worse next season.
In a normal Premier League season, with a competitive bottom three, West Ham would still be in need of two wins from their last five games to secure safety.
And after the draw with Southampton, Steinberg claims ’embarrassing’ West Ham will be relegation candidates under Potter next season.
Steinberg: West Ham relegation candidates next season
The Guardian journalist said it is unfathomable the club have squandered the goodwill of their only major trophy win in the last 45 years to reach this point.
And he has warned Sullivan and the Hammers board that West Ham will be in danger of relegation to the Championship if the promoted clubs, two of which look likely to be the young, hungry and impressive Leeds and Burnley sides, are any good.
“Embarrassing result for West Ham (vs Southampton),” Steinberg said on X.
“Amazing there’s such apathy around the place two years after winning a European trophy.
“Huge summer coming up.
“They will be relegation candidates if this isn’t sorted out (and the promoted teams are any use).”
Embarrassing result for West Ham. Amazing there’s such apathy around the place two years after winning a European trophy. Huge summer coming up, they will be relegation candidates if this isn’t sorted out (and the promoted teams are any use).
— Jacob Steinberg 🎗️ (@JacobSteinberg) April 19, 2025
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That is a grave warning indeed.
And it is a sentiment very much echoed among the West Ham fanbase off the back of what they have witnessed so far from Potter.
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