The Hammers have had a disastrous start to the 2025-26 season, losing four of their opening five Premier League games and languishing in 19th place.
Days after his dismissal from Nottingham Forest, Nuno Espirito Santo returned to the Premier League to replace Potter at West Ham. The 51-year-old's ratings were at an all-time high after leading Forest to seventh in the top flight last season, while the club flirted with Champions League qualification for much of the season. Ironically, the Portuguese's final match in charge ended in a 3-0 defeat to Potter's Hammers at the City Ground.
Following Mourinho's departure by Fenerbahçe at the start of the season, the legendary manager was briefly tipped to join West Ham, with the team continuing to struggle under Potter. However, when the club finally sacked the English coach, Mourinho was no longer available: he returned to his homeland and took the reins at Benfica.
West Ham said Nuno was the best option after Mourinho.
Speaking to Paddy Power, former West Ham and England star Joe Cole said of Nuno's chances of reaching Europe with his new team: “ I don't think it's a European place, but security, certainly. I think he will do a good job. I don't think the way the club handled Graham Potter was correct. Unfortunately, this seems to be the norm not only for West Ham, but for many football clubs. Head coaches are somewhat targeted, without the control to implement their vision. And Graham Potter can certainly leave this club saying: 'I didn't have the time, I didn't have the support.' »»
“The arrival of Nuno, on the other hand, I think is a very wise appointment on the part of the club. I think he's the right man. » In the absence of Joseph Mourinho, I would probably have opted for Nuno – Nuno or Sean Dyche. Someone who understands the championship and is very strong in the areas where West Ham needed to improve – defensive blocking, set-piece defending. So between Nuno and Sean Dyche I should have chosen between the two.
Nuno's difficult start at West Ham
Despite Nuno's arrival at the club, West Ham are yet to end their losing streak. In his first match in charge, the Hammers held Everton to a 1-1 draw, before losing 2-0 to Arsenal last weekend. The club hopes to achieve its second victory of the season.
