Portuguese Coach Set To Replace Potter At West Ham: Is He The Right Choice?

The atmosphere around West Ham United has changed over the past few weeks. The club’s hierarchy ended Graham Potter’s brief spell in charge. The Hammers began the campaign with optimism but quickly trapped themselves in a sequence of uninspiring performances that drained momentum and unsettled supporters.

Each match increased doubts about Potter’s ability to guide the side through the season. Frustration inside the London Stadium finally led to a change. West Ham invested heavily in recent years, so they could not keep patience for a long time, and the board prioritised a decisive step over loyalty to a long-term plan.

Nuno Espírito Santo should step in

Pete O’Rourke via Football Insider reports that Nuno Espírito Santo now enters this fragile situation, and his reputation in Premier League circles is still strong despite a mixed recent spell. His arrival shows a change, as the Hammers chose a manager whose style is pragmatic, disciplined, and focused on efficiency instead of elaborate possession play.

Nuno has built his career on defensive organisation, quick counter-attacks, wide attacking channels, and creating teams that remain compact yet always look ready to strike when space opens up. The 51-year-old often uses a back three for stability, and wing-backs stretch opponents while shielding his defence.

Fans may not see the fluid possession football Potter promised, but they can expect a side that defends better and attacks with more ruthlessness. This appointment reflects the club’s recognition that survival and stability must outweigh experiments in style, at least for now.

While speaking on the Inside Track podcast, O’Rourke said, “West Ham are speaking to candidates to replace Potter, so the writing is on the wall for him long-term. Nuno, obviously, I think right now is the favourite for the role, having left Nottingham Forest earlier this season, but the finances involved will come into their thinking.

“If that’s too expensive a deal to do, they have got other options, Gary O’Neil is the second choice, the former Wolves and Bournemouth manager is interested in the role at West Ham. Then you’ve got Slaven Bilic, who is out of work after leaving the Saudi Pro League not too long ago, and as a former West Ham player and manager, would be very interested in the job.

“A lot will depend on what West Ham decide they want to do, but right now Nuno is probably the favourite due to what he did at Nottingham Forest, where he did a great job getting them back into European football.”

What this means for West Ham’s future

LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 24: Nuno Espirito Santo, Manager of Nottingham Forest, looks on prior to the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest at Selhurst Park on August 24, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Eddie Keogh/Getty Images)

The choice of Nuno links directly to the club’s wider ambitions, as they want the Portuguese manager to restore order and guide West Ham away from the danger zone. His record at Wolverhampton Wanderers showed how he can mould a unit that thrives in tight matches, and even at Nottingham Forest, he displayed his class under pressure despite limited time.

Such qualities appeal to the West Ham board, who want the side to stay competitive even if it costs them attractive football. However, some may argue Frank Lampard offered another route forward. We reported earlier that West Ham are also linked to Frank Lampard as a manager option, the board have opted for a coach with a more proven survival record.

Alongside this managerial change, recruitment talks continue, and we reported earlier that West Ham United are preparing a €35 million proposal for Villarreal midfielder Pape Gueye. The combination of Nuno’s pragmatic system and new arrivals may provide the balance needed to stabilise a turbulent season.

West Ham now stand at a crossroads, and their decisions must bring quick results. Nuno’s philosophy, grounded in shape, anticipation, and discipline, seems suited to the current crisis, and his ability to build team spirit could be the factor that changes the mood. The club took a calculated gamble, and while questions remain about whether this is the best appointment, the logic behind it atleast looks clear.