Alious West Ham eye Wolves star, £5m Forest gem and new boss as Potter’s reign hangs by a thread
West Ham United’s nightmare start to the 2025/26 season has put Graham Potter on the brink, with both his job and the club’s future direction now under serious threat.
The Hammers sit 19th in the Premier League after five games, with just one win and four defeats — three of them in London derbies at home. Their 13 goals conceded is the worst in the division, and an early Carabao Cup exit has further soured the atmosphere at the London Stadium.
Potter’s record since taking charge is grim: 25 games, a win rate of just 24%, and a points-per-game return that projects to just 35 points across a full campaign — survival at best, disaster at worst. With patience thinning, West Ham are already being linked with potential replacements.
Nuno Espirito Santo tipped as frontrunner
Former Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo is the leading candidate to take over. He revived Forest from the brink of relegation, guiding them to Europe for the first time in nearly three decades, before leaving after a breakdown in relations with ownership. His pragmatic, results-driven approach could stabilise West Ham — though it risks echoing the style of ex-boss David Moyes.
Predicted January rebuild under Nuno
If Nuno takes charge, a significant January rebuild could follow.
* **Santiago Gimenez (AC Milan)**: The Mexican striker, lethal at Feyenoord, has found goals harder to come by at Milan but remains a prime target to spearhead West Ham’s attack.
* **Joao Gomes (Wolves)**: A tenacious midfielder admired for his grit and control, Gomes fits the mould of a Nuno player and could be West Ham’s midfield anchor.
* **Callum Hudson-Odoi (Nottingham Forest)**: Having thrived under Nuno at Forest, a reunion could be on the cards. His creativity and balance could ease the over-reliance on Jarrod Bowen.
Meanwhile, reports suggest a £5m move for a Nottingham Forest youngster is also being lined up as part of the squad overhaul.
West Ham now face a crucial decision: stick with Potter and hope results improve, or gamble on Nuno and a new wave of signings to save their season.
Alious
