Graham Potter: West Ham, Everton management developments expected to ‘move quickly’ in next 24 hours | Football news

Developments are expected in the next 24 hours regarding the futures of Everton and West Ham bosses Sean Dyche and Julen Lopetegui, with Graham Potter in talks with both clubs.

Neither club wants to change managers and had hoped to reassess their respective situations this summer.

But poor results and a growing hostility from some supporters are forcing West Ham and Everton’s hierarchies to rethink, with some urgency, relations already undermined at both.

Potter is high on the list of potential replacements for both Dyche and Lopetegui. The fact that he is out of work, available and will not demand compensation is further in his favor.

The 49-year-old has met senior officials at both clubs on a number of occasions in recent months and held talks with West Ham officials on Monday, although pictures were taken in some newspapers showing Potter and West Ham sporting director Tim Steidten together. a few months ago.

Both Lopetegui and Dyche arrived at their respective training grounds on Tuesday morning.

Things are expected to move quickly over the next 24 hours at the London Stadium and Goodison Park in terms of their managerial situations.

Further talks are expected between both sides and Potter, who will drive a hard bargain, knowing he is in a position of strength to choose between the two – or neither. It has been suggested that both clubs can only make a change if they can convince him to join.

Potter has been determined to take his time choosing his next role and feels it is a crucial decision after the crushing disappointment of his time at Stamford Bridge.

He has been out of work for more than 18 months since being sacked by Chelsea in April 2023 and has been determined to make amends after the first truly significant setback in an otherwise steadily improving managerial career.

Financially too, there has been no rush for Potter to get a new job because he was eligible for a lucrative severance package from Chelsea which kept him long after his sacking.

Nevertheless, he has been ready to return to football for several months and has been actively considering various options.

West Ham are 14th in the Premier League with six wins from 20 games, while Everton are one point above the relegation zone on 17 points with three wins from 20 games.

Which job would Potter be more likely to take?

Potter turned down the chance to join Ajax when he was first choice at the Amsterdam club, and similarly turned down opportunities at Leicester, Southampton and even AC Milan last spring because he didn’t feel they were right for him .

What he wants from his next role is a project – and the patience and time of an owner to allow him to implement his philosophy correctly. Potter feels that is what he was promised at Chelsea before bosses pulled the plug prematurely.

Immediately, Everton would offer much of what Potter wants: a fresh start, ambitious new owners, exciting resources. A club on the rise with a bright future. You could offer a similar analysis of the prospects for West Ham, who spent more than £100m on new talent this summer and won a European trophy 18 months ago. It has been made clear to me that Potter is in principle keen on the opportunities at both clubs.

But there will also be concerns for Potter. Arriving mid-season would be far from ideal from his perspective, with a lack of coaching time between games to enforce his ideals. Likewise, the need for a quick improvement in results means immediate pressure to be pragmatic in his tactics, lest Everton – but possibly West Ham too – become involved in another relegation scrap.

In Everton’s case, there would need to be a significant change in style of play, from Dyche to Potter, with real question marks over whether the current squad contains enough of the type of players he would want to carry out his plans.

PSR restrictions at both West Ham and Everton mean whoever takes over as manager will be constrained by spending limits.

Carra: Potter to West Ham is good for both

Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher believes West Ham could finally get the manager they thought they were getting in Lopetegui if Potter is appointed.

Talking further Monday night footballhe said: “The whole reason they moved on from David Moyes wasn’t actually the results as such – last season wasn’t great, they had better seasons. By and large, Moyes did a good job at West Ham. But I always felt that West Ham wanted their ‘Roberto De Zerbi’, a guy who comes in and plays brilliant football.

“But don’t forget it started with Graham Potter coming off the back of Chris Hughton, who was a different type of manager, and they (Brighton) wanted to change things. West Ham wanted to change things and be a team, who is in front.foot and take the game to the opponent.

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

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

“I think Everton are a bigger club than West Ham. It’s probably just me going back to my childhood and watching them win trophies and West Ham not really winning too much.

“Everton have been so poor for the last 10 years, West Ham have won a European trophy and they are in London, they have the Olympic Stadium.

“I think it’s more of a 50-50 decision now. And maybe right now you’d turn 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 probably really sad that I say it’s a 50-50 because in my mind Everton are a much bigger club than West Ham.”