West Ham legend Tony Cottee has called on the club to part ways with Julen Lopetegui and appoint former Chelsea boss Graham Potter to revive their season.
Lopetegui finds himself under increasing pressure following West Ham’s crushing 5-0 home defeat to Premier League leaders Liverpool on Sunday.
This marked the second time the Hammers have conceded five goals at home this season, with a 5-2 loss to Arsenal occurring just last month.
Despite showing promise in December with eight points from four matches after a poor loss to Leicester City, West Ham suffered a humiliating thrashing at the hands of Arne Slot’s Liverpool.
The team had entered the season with high hopes under Lopetegui, who replaced David Moyes last summer, but results have been underwhelming.
With just 23 points from 19 league games, the Hammers sit 13th in the table, nine points above the relegation zone as the New Year approaches.
Cottee has voiced his frustration, insisting that “something has to change” at the club. He criticized the “dreadful” performance against Liverpool and emphasized that West Ham fans deserve better.
The former striker, now 58, wants Lopetegui sacked and believes Graham Potter is the ideal candidate to take charge at the London Stadium.
Potter, 49, has been unemployed since being dismissed by Chelsea in April 2023. Despite his turbulent stint at Stamford Bridge, the Englishman boasts a strong track record, having excelled during his three-year tenure at Brighton.
Potter has also managed Swansea City in the Championship and achieved significant success with Swedish club Ostersunds.
Taking to social media platform X, Cottee expressed his impatience, writing: “What are the board waiting for? A 5-0 drubbing at Man City and an FA Cup exit against Aston Villa?! Get Graham Potter in now, give him the chance to save the season and utilize the January transfer window. Yesterday’s performance was dreadful, and something has to change. Our fans deserve so much better.”
Following the Liverpool defeat, Lopetegui admitted his side failed to meet expectations. He told reporters: “We did not compete as we had planned or as a team like Liverpool demands. Today was tough. Liverpool are among the best teams in the world right now, but it’s clear we must do better.”
West Ham’s upcoming fixtures offer little reprieve, with an away game against Premier League champions Manchester City next weekend, followed by an FA Cup third-round tie against Aston Villa.