Forget Santo and Bilic: West Ham's ideal next manager is obvious as Potter teeters on the brink

West Ham United can prove a difficult place to be during the most challenging of moments. Graham Potter is currently experiencing this first-hand, as pressure ramps up on the Hammers boss just five games into the new Premier League season.

The warning signs were there when the east London outfit slipped precariously close to the relegation zone last campaign, with Hammers fans unsure whether Potter was the right fit long-term. Five defeats from six in all competitions this season have left West Ham in the relegation zone and fans calling for an early change in the dugout.

As betting companies slice the odds for Potter to be the first manager to be sacked in the Premier League this season, several potential candidates have emerged as West Ham look to do all they can to avoid a costly relegation battle.

Coventry City boss Frank Lampard was touted as an early candidate but that now looks unlikely. Any potential move for Jose Mourinho is now off the table as he has taken over at Benfica. Nuno Espirito Santo and Slaven Bilic have emerged as prime candidates according to reports, but it may be another former Premier League man who could be the ideal choice.

Gary O’Neil could be ideal long-term choice for West Ham

He may not have enjoyed the previous managerial success of Nuno or have the vast experience of Bilic. But if West Ham are looking to step forward into a new era with a dynamic young manager at the helm, it could pay off to take a risk on Gary O’Neil.

A former Hammer as a player, O’Neil was a part of the last West Ham squad to win promotion to the Premier League in 2011/12. He will hope to galvanise the fans quickly and get the club moving in the right direction once again, knowing as well as anyone how important it is for the club to be in the top flight.

O’Neil has been out of work since his sacking by Wolves last December, after a difficult start to the season which tainted his otherwise strong start to management. He will feel he has something to prove as he looks to establish himself as a respected Premier League manager.

The 42-year-old took over Bournemouth in 2022 and led the Cherries to an unlikely survival, setting the foundations which Andoni Iraola has built on since O’Neil’s harsh sacking the following summer. He then guided Wolves away from danger in 2023/24 before struggling in his last season with the club.

O’Neil’s tactical adaptability would serve West Ham well

In his managerial career so far, O’Neil has regularly been praised for his adaptability in terms of tactics and personnel, varying from a more pragmatic approach to a complex high-pressing style depending on the opponents.

In an era where several managers are becoming somewhat one-dimensional, O’Neil’s willingness to adapt could serve him well at the London Stadium. The truth is that many West Ham fans like to see football played in a certain way and a defensive approach against lesser sides has not gone down well with supporters in recent years. With that being said, Potter’s side has received criticism for being far too open defensively and a pragmatic approach in more difficult matches is crucial.

Whether the West Ham squad has the players capable of adapting from game to game in such a way is an entirely different matter - but it is difficult to argue against the fact that, of the options available on the market currently, O’Neil’s potential to create a project in east London is an attractive prospect. It may appear to be a risky appointment for both sides but if O’Neil hits the ground running, it could truly pay off.