Mark Noble twist on cards if Graham Potter doesn’t get first wish at West Ham. It’s often said there is never a dull moment at West Ham but that really has been the case this week with Graham Potter set to take over from Julen Lopetegui.
Graham Potter will be unveiled as West Ham’s 19th permanent manager in the coming hours.
An unveiling is expected on Wednesday evening or Thursday morning following the decision to sack Julen Lopetegui. Hammers News has revealed the highly unusual 2.5-year deal Potter will sign to take over West Ham.
That came after talks stalled yesterday over the contract length – with the Hammers initially only willing to sign off on a six-month deal.
Potter and West Ham made a breakthrough overnight, though, in what was a major blow to rival suitors Everton. His appointment has been heavily pushed by vice-chair Karren Brady, whose husband is very close friends with Potter.
Technical director Tim Steidten was photographed meeting with Potter.
Although the image is believed to have been taken when Lopetegui was under pressure following the defeat at Leicester.
Potter was a pundit on that game for Amazon and it coincided with the first calls from West Ham’s hardcore away following for Lopetegui to be sacked.
Noble twist on cards if Potter doesn’t get first wish at West Ham
Reports in the lead up to Lopetegui’s sacking and Potter’s arrival had claimed the ex Brighton and Chelsea boss would take charge for the Premier League clash with Fulham on Tuesday night.
But a Mark Noble twist is on the cards if Potter doesn’t get first wish at West Ham.
Noble once famously declared ‘West Ham aren’t run like a circus anymore’ when delivering an emotional speech at the end of the last ever game at Upton Park.
Cynics would beg to differ this week given the unsavoury situation involving Lopetegui and Potter.
Although it is myopic to think West Ham are any worse or different to most other Premier League clubs in the way these things play out.
Ironically on this occasion the fact West Ham find themselves in this situation could directly impact Noble.
West Ham go to Aston Villa in the FA Cup on Friday night.
In many ways West Ham’s season hinges on the game with little else to play for having dropped well out of European contention.
So it is a big game for the Hammers against tough opposition.
Many incoming managers might have used the close proximity of the current situation to the game as an excuse to sit in the stands and swerve it.
But according to journalist Jack Rosser, West Ham are not only hopeful Potter will be in charge at Aston Villa, indeed the man himself very much wants to be in the dugout.
West Ham hopeful Potter will be in charge at Aston Villa, he wants to be in dugout.
Final details being sorted today but he has agreed to take over.
Lopetegui taken training again & his exit needs to be sorted, he has five staff too. Potter wants to bring in up to four. #WHUFC
— Jack Rosser (@JackRosser_) January 8, 2025
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Whether that will come too soon – perhaps less than 48 hours after being unveiled – remains to be seen.
But Hammers News understands the club’s back-up plan could be equally intriguing and exciting.
Potter wants to take charge at Villa but back-up plan is exciting
Lopetegui brought in all his own staff bar goalkeeping coach Xavi Valero in the summer.
Valero besides, they will all depart with the 58-year-old.
So if Potter does not take charge of the team at Villa Park, West Ham’s caretaker management team for the match could include sporting director Noble alongside coaches Kevin Keen and Mark Robson.
West Ham will therefore likely elevate club legend Keen and Noble could play a role too by certainly being in and around the dressing room for the game should Potter sit it out.
Robson, who was part of David Moyes’ coaching staff last season before returning to the Academy, is also expected to step back up to the first team for the match should Potter not take charge immediately.
Imagine that, Noble and Keen leading the team out in front of an army of 6,000 travelling West Ham fans at Villa Park.
A return to those glorious scenes when the Hammers beat Middlesbrough to make the FA cup final. It’s enough to make the hairs on your neck stand up.
