Former Nottingham Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo is reportedly the front-runner to replace Graham Potter at West Ham United.

Graham Potter’s future at West Ham United is uncertain as the East London club have had a very disappointing start to the season. The Hammers are already looking at potential alternatives to replace him, as the writing seems to be on the wall.

According to Pete O’Rourke via Football Insider, Nuno Espirito Santo is the favourite to replace Potter at West Ham. Having been sacked by Nottingham Forest earlier this season, the Portuguese manager is looking for a new role, and the Hammers are keen on having him on their bench.

Graham Potter’s struggles at West Ham

Graham Potter took charge at the East London club at the start of the year. While he was brought in to steady the ship, the 50-year-old hasn’t had the kind of impact they expected. He has led them in a total of 25 matches and averages less than a point per game.

West Ham have not had the best of starts to the new season, as they have lost five out of their six games in all competitions. The pressure continues to mount on the former Chelsea manager. The defeat to Crystal Palace was a massive blow, and his future now might depend on the results of the next two league outings (Everton, Arsenal).

If the report is to be believed, securing all six points might be the only way for him to survive in the job. The fans are already asking for the manager’s departure, putting a lot of pressure on the board to make a decision. With protests ongoing against the board, they might have to sack Potter sooner rather than later.

The Hammers have started assessing potential replacements, and Nuno Espirito Santo, Gary O’Neil and Slaven Bilic are the top three candidates to take over as their next boss. The former Tottenham and Nottingham Forest boss Espirito Santo is believed to be the front-runner for the job.

Pete O’Rourke on Nuno Espirito Santo and West Ham’s search for the next manager

While speaking on the Inside Track podcast, O’Rourke said, “West Ham are speaking to candidates to replace Potter, so the writing is on the wall for him long-term. Nuno, obviously, I think right now is the favourite for the role having left Nottingham Forest earlier this season, but the finances involved will come into their thinking.

“If that’s too expensive a deal to do, they have got other options, Gary O’Neil is the second choice, the former Wolves and Bournemouth manager is interested in the role at West Ham. Then you’ve got Slaven Bilic, who is out of work after leaving the Saudi Pro League not too long ago and as a former West Ham player and manager would be very interested in the job.

“A lot will depend on what West Ham decide they want to do, but right now Nuno is probably the favourite due to what he did at Nottingham Forest where he did a great job getting them back into European football.”

The three candidates for the West Ham job

Nuno Espirito Santo did wonders at Nottingham Forest, and he can certainly be a great fit for the Hammers. Given his track record in English football, he can certainly help them get back on track. But signing him won’t be that straightforward because of the finances involved and the fact that he is still involved in some legal battles with Nottingham Forest.

The Portuguese manager remains their priority target, but they also have their eyes on O’Neil and Bilic. The former Wolves and Bournemouth manager is believed to be keen on taking the West Ham job. Meanwhile, Bilic is also looking for a new role, having left the Saudi Pro League.

Bilic has played for and managed the Hammers in the past and would love the opportunity to once again take charge of his former club. However, as things stand, he is their third choice for the job, with Nuno Espirito Santo leading the race.