West Ham keep Graham Potter’s talks with Julen Lopetegui in the balance as Everton maintain interest in ex-Chelsea boss | Football News

West Ham United are in talks with Graham Potter to take over as manager should Julen Lopetegui leave the club.

Lopetegui remains in place for now, but the club are discussing his future after a run that has seen West Ham pick up eight points from their last eight games.

A source told Sky Sports News that Lopetegui will be sacked once they have an agreement in principle with a preferred target – understood to be Potter.

As it stands, there is no deal with Potter or any other manager.

Sky Sports News understands Everton also retain an interest in Potter should they decide to replace Sean Dyche.

Potter has been out of work since being sacked by Chelsea in April 2023 after seven months at the club, despite signing a five-year deal to replace Thomas Tuchel.

The 49-year-old was previously at Brighton for three years, helping them finish ninth in the Premier League in 2021/22, their highest finish at the time.

Carra: Potter at West Ham is good for both

Jamie Carragher believes West Ham may finally get the manager they thought they would get in Lopetegui if Potter is appointed.

Speaking of Monday night footballsaid: “The reason they got rid of David Moyes wasn’t really the results themselves – the last season wasn’t great, they’ve had better seasons. Mainly Moyes did a good job at West Ham. But I always felt that West Ham he wanted ‘De Gerby’, a guy who comes in and plays excellent football.

“But don’t forget it started with Graham Potter, who came in behind Chris Hughton, who was a different type of manager and they (Brighton) wanted to change things. West Ham wanted to turn things around and be a team at the front. foot and take the game on the counter.

“We know Potter can do that. If he can unlock some of the attacking talent that West Ham have, it’s a good move for both of them if the deal goes through.”

Asked if he would choose West Ham or Everton if he were in the Potters’ shoes, Carragher said he would lean towards the Hammers.

“I think Everton are a bigger club than West Ham. Probably just me going back to my childhood and watching her win trophies and West Ham not win much.

“Everton have been so poor for the last 10 years, West Ham have won a European trophy and they’re in London, they’ve got the Olympic stadium.

“I think it’s more of a 50-50 decision now. And maybe right now you’re leaning more towards West Ham because they’re probably more guaranteed to stay in the Premier League.

“The fact that I think Potter would choose West Ham over Everton, it’s rather sad to say it’s a 50-50 because in my opinion Everton are a much bigger club than West Ham.”

Potter on Chelsea exit – ‘You live and learn’

Potter appeared on Monday Night Football in September and reflected on his short spell at Chelsea. He said the team had been in a state of “flux” during his time at the club and would “learn” from the experience.

Potter was appointed in September 2022 but lasted less than eight months in the role before being sacked by the club.

Of his tenure he said: “After talking to the owners, they were very ambitious. They wanted to challenge for trophies and use younger players.

“The opportunity to have that opportunity to work with younger players and build an environment. We did some things well.
“Suddenly a little adjustment had to be made while I was trying to race, the whole team was in a little bit of a flow. There were many adjustments.

“It’s impossible to play everyone every minute. Finding that consistency was a bit difficult. You live and learn. It was a very turbulent time in Chelsea’s history. I wish I had done better.”

Asked if it made him hungrier for the next challenge, Potter added: “I know my abilities and I know what I can do. It has to be the right opportunity and it has to be the right thing for me.

“The culture at Chelsea for some time has brought them success, so I respect that. I suppose you could feel it from the outside, the media and the supporters. Maybe the mistake I made was thinking that with new ownership there would be culture change.

“But the culture runs much deeper than that. Before the World Cup, we had only lost three Premier League games – one to Arsenal, who were top at the time, and Newcastle and Brighton away – but the people were closing in and we were close to crisis.

“Perspective is not always easy to get, and at that time Chelsea were used to winning and competing.

“It was easy to say it must be the manager as he is not used to playing at this level or working at this level. Maybe that was the problem and I could understand that as the results were not what they expected.”

West Ham games

January 10: Aston Villa (a) – FA Cup

January 14: Fulham

January 18: Crystal Palace (h)

January 26: Aston Villa (a) – Live on Sky Sports

February 3: Chelsea (a) – Live Sky Sports

February 15: Brentford (h)