West Ham United manager Graham Potter has sent a clear message to his players in a secret Rush Green meeting, as the threat of his potentially imminent sacking hangs over the Englishman.

Graham Potter given stay of execution as West Ham eye replacements

The Hammers, if anything, have regressed since Potter took over from Julen Lopetegui in January.

Already, the former Chelsea boss is drawing statistical comparisons with Avram Grant, who relegated West Ham in 2010/2011. Bar the Israeli, Potter has recorded the club’s worst ever win percentage in the Premier League (26.1 per cent), and this dismal number is only overshadowed by their leaky backline.

9. Sam Allardyce

30.7%

10. Julen Lopetegui

30%

11. Gianfranco Zola

27.8%

12 Graham Potter

26.1%

13. Avram Grant

18.9%

via StatMuse

West Ham have conceded 13 goals in the top flight already this season, with seven of them coming from set plays. Their failure to deal with dead balls is a major theme of their reoccurring struggles under Potter, and if it wasn’t for a surprise 3-0 win away to Nottingham Forest, he’d perhaps be gone already.

Nevertheless, Potter is being given more time to turn things around at West Ham, but not much at all.

The Hammers take on David Moyes’ Everton this weekend, and their ex-managerial hero has a real chance to put one of the final nails in Potter’s coffin before West Ham travel to title-chasing Arsenal.

In the meantime, David Sullivan, Karren Brady and the rest of West Ham’s divisive board are making contingency plans to replace Potter.

Insiders claim Nuno Espirito Santo is considering an offer from West Ham after talks with both Brady and Sullivan, while ex-Irons defender and manager Slaven Bilic is already planning his backroom in the event he is chosen for the hot seat (ExWHUemployee).

Another ex-player in Gary O’Neil is also one of the favourites to potentially succeed Potter, but West Ham are not limited to just free agents.

Reports suggest Burnley boss Scott Parker has been discussed as an option by high-ranking West Ham officials (GiveMeSport), so it would appear the east Londoners are seriously assessing candidates right now.

What Graham Potter has said to West Ham players as sack looms

According to ExWHUemployee, despite all the uncertainty surrounding his position, Potter is presenting a united front to his squad.

The insider reports that Potter held a meeting with West Ham players and staff, where he delivered a motivational speech in an attempt to galvanise the team. Ex also says that the 50-year-old is “almost certain” to take charge of the Everton game, with a P45 far more likely after they take on Arsenal.

“Graham Potter is almost certain to be in charge of the Everton game,” stated Ex, via The West Ham Way.

“We believe at this stage its likely to be that he gets the next two games ahead of the next international break.

“The club will likely then use that time to take action if that is deemed then the best course, pending of course in how we do ahead of that time.

“Potter is very aware of how close he is to losing his job and we understand that a meeting was held between the players and all staff around the team at Rush Green. The manager delivered a motivational speech to everyone with a message of sticking together and to fight to get out of this situation.”

With the ex-Brighton boss on the verge of a contract termination, Nuno is West Ham’s obvious best bet.

West Ham need to appoint Nuno Espírito Santo if Potter leaves

The Portuguese coach is available, experienced and, crucially, understands the Premier League.

Nuno made his name at Wolves, guiding them from the Championship into Europe — including a Europa League quarter-final in 2020.

His side were disciplined, sharp and capable of taking points off the biggest teams. That blend of defensive organisation and counter-attacking is exactly what West Ham are crying out for right now, with Nuno also helping to fix Nottingham Forest’s set-piece weakness during his time at the City Ground.

At Forest last season, Nuno again proved his credentials. He steadied a club that looked in danger of sliding, galvanised the squad, got the very best out of his players and gave his former side a real identity.

All of this culminated in European qualification for the first time since 1995, and following Moyes’ era, a return to Europe is exactly what West Ham are aiming for too.