Another London derby brought another defeat for West Ham United, this time to a resurgent Crystal Palace, now unbeaten in 17 matches in all competitions. Pressure is mounting on Graham Potter, whose team have managed just two home wins since he took charge in January. Potter has six wins from 25 matches in all competitions, including one this season at Nottingham Forest, for a return of 24 per cent.
His predecessor, Julen Lopetegui, recorded seven wins in 22 matches, including four at home. Across the two reigns, West Ham have played 47 games, losing 24, drawing 10 and winning 13. The board must weigh the cost and optics of another change, with 18 months remaining on Potter’s deal, against the risk of drift. Failure to take points against Everton or Arsenal before the international break could force a decision, which would mean two managers in fewer than 50 games, with Arsenal set to be match 49 under either Lopetegui or Potter.
Former player and manager Slaven Bilic has emerged as a leading candidate. He guided the club through the final season at Upton Park and the first at London Stadium before departing in 2017, and has since coached Al Ittihad, West Bromwich Albion, Beijing Guoan, Watford and Al Fateh. His West Ham numbers remain competitive in the modern era: 38 wins and 28 draws in 111 matches, a win rate of 37.6 per cent, with 23 home wins, 15 away wins and 146 goals scored. Only David Moyes can point to a stronger record over the last decade, albeit across many more games.
Gary O’Neil, another former Hammer, is also in the conversation. He has managed 100 senior matches across Bournemouth and Wolverhampton Wanderers, winning 31, drawing 17 and losing 52. His first season at Wolves brought a win rate of 37.8 per cent before a sharp drop to 16.7 per cent the following campaign, and he left in December 2024 with Wolves in nineteenth place. Teams under O’Neil scored 135 goals across those 100 matches.
Nuno Espirito Santo is a further option, recently dismissed by Nottingham Forest. His Premier League body of work at Wolves, Tottenham Hotspur and Forest shows higher peaks than West Ham are currently experiencing. He posted a 45.6 per cent win rate with Wolves in 2018 to 2019 and 45.5 per cent with Forest last season, while even his lowest figure of 26.9 per cent in 2023 to 2024 compares favourably with Potter’s current return. Nuno’s compact, counter-attacking approach can stabilise a side, though whether it aligns with the football West Ham supporters expect at London Stadium is a live question.
Whether the board’s act will likely hinge on the next two fixtures. If change comes, Bilic offers familiarity and club-specific success, O’Neil brings energy with mixed numbers, and Nuno presents a case for immediate control and structure. The choice will reveal whether West Ham prioritises short-term recovery or a broader reset.
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