Exclusive: West Ham to open preliminary talks with 49-yr-old

Graham Potter is emerging as the leading contender to be the next West Ham manager, sources have told Football Insider.

The 49-year-old has edged ahead of Sergio Conceicao, who left Porto in June, in the running to replace Julen Lopetegui.

West Ham are ready to advance their interest in Potter and open preliminary talks with his agent over a deal.

Lopetegui is on the brink of the sack following the 3-1 away defeat at Leicester on Tuesday (3 December).

Football Insider revealed on Wednesday (4 December) that the Spaniard is clinging on to his job at West Ham with club chiefs holding sack talks in the wake of the loss.

Lopetegui endured chants of “sacked in the morning” from the 3,000 travelling fans and could now be removed just four months into his London Stadium reign.

Lopetegui’s fate will be decided at an Irons board meeting on Friday (6 December) but there is a growing sense he is more likely to leave than stay.

He has overseen just four wins in 14 Premier League games so far this term.

Potter leading candidate for West Ham hot seat with Lopetegui close to the sack

That is despite being heavily backed with new signings like Max Kilman, Crysencio Summerville and Aaron Wan-Bissaka in the summer window.

Niclas Fullkrug came in as the big-ticket new striker but is yet to start in the Premier League due to injury in a more unfortunate stroke of luck for Lopetegui.

Potter, who was on punditry duty for Leicester’s win over West Ham on Tuesday, has been out of work since leaving Chelsea in April 2023.

He has been linked with a range of jobs since that exit, including the hot seat at Leicester – as well as the vacancy at the London Stadium following David Moyes’ exit.

West Ham are next in action against Wolves, Lopetegui’s former club, next Monday (9 December).

In other news, Irons make defender transfer decision – talks underway.

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