West Ham eye Gary O'Neil appointment amid Graham Potter's disastrous start to the season as Hammers consider emotional return for former midfielder

Wolverhampton Wanderers FC v Ipswich Town FC - Premier League

West Ham are reportedly eyeing a deal to appoint Gary O'Neil amid Graham Potter's disastrous start to the season as the Hammers consider an emotional return for their former midfielder. The pressure cooker at West Ham has finally hit full steam. A humiliating 3-0 defeat to Tottenham has left Graham Potter’s reign dangling by a thread, and the board are now seriously weighing up a change in the dugout.

West Ham crisis hits boiling point

Potter, once hailed as a progressive choice to steer the club into a brighter future, has overseen a start that’s been nothing short of catastrophic. Four defeats in five, fourteen goals leaked in that stretch, and a fanbase rapidly losing patience, the situation at the London Stadium is becoming untenable.

Wolverhampton Wanderers FC v Ipswich Town FC - Premier League

O'Neil emerges as a favourite

According to The Independent, O'Neil is among the favourites to replace Potter. The 42-year-old has carved out a reputation in Premier League circles as a manager who thrives in chaos, capable of getting the best from squads written off by others. His rescue acts at Bournemouth and Wolves turned heads across the top flight, and his name now tops West Ham’s shortlist.

Little financial headache

What makes O’Neil an even stronger contender is his availability. With no club currently attached to him, the Hammers wouldn’t need to fork out a penny in compensation, a major advantage given the financial and contractual headaches that often come with mid-season appointments.

A man who knows the Claret & Blue

For West Ham supporters, O’Neil’s story comes with an emotional twist. The former midfielder wore the claret and blue between 2011 and 2013, grafting in the middle of the park during a period of transition for the club. Those two and a half years left a mark, and the thought of one of their own returning to guide the team resonates strongly with sections of the fanbase.

West Ham United v Lille OSC - Pre-Season Friendly

Why West Ham board are tempted

West Ham’s hierarchy have been quick to take stock of O’Neil’s record. At Bournemouth, he kept a squad destined for the drop in the Premier League against all odds. At Wolves, he navigated turbulent waters before being harshly axed last December, with the club languishing near the bottom. The Hammers board see in O’Neil a manager who blends pragmatism with player development. The fit appears obvious, and West Ham are running out of time to salvage their season before it spirals further out of control.