West Ham's 2025: Sackings, setbacks, protests - and Potts' potential
The main positive for West Ham's 2025 is that it is now over. They need a lot of improvement in 2026...
Three managers, two sackings, a change of sporting director and one constant during 2025 at West Ham United — a state of flux.
And after a difficult 12 months, the worst could yet be in store with relegation a distinct possibility.
It was a year that started with the sacking of Julen Lopetegui and the underwhelming managerial appointment of Graham Potter, closely followed by the sacking of technical director Tim Steidten.
Potter’s 10-month spell came to an end in September, with Nuno Espirito Santo named as his successor. But the Portuguese head coach has only won two of his 14 games, his side has failed to keep a clean sheet and they remain in the relegation zone.
Off the pitch, discontent towards the board remains high, with a fan advisory board issuing a vote of no confidence and supporters calling for majority shareholder David Sullivan and vice-chairman Karren Brady to resign during protests at the matches against Crystal Palace and Burnley.
West Ham’s Premier League status is under serious threat for the first time since their relegation to the Championship in the 2010-11 season. 2025 caused more misery than joy, and The Athletic reflects on a year of some ups, but a lot of downs.
Best moment
Slim pickings here. Leading up to the 3-1 win over Newcastle United in November, West Ham were winless in six games. There was little optimism and confidence, but a man-of-the-match display from academy graduate Freddie Potts temporarily eased those fears.
The 22-year-old midfielder, who was serenaded by fans, made his first Premier League start and did not look out of place. It was a full-circle moment for Potts, who struggled to force his way into Potter’s starting XI despite a promising pre-season. Nuno has seen the potential, and Potts has been repaid.
Worst moment
It was a sad sight when a supporter subjected captain Jarrod Bowen to abuse after the Carabao Cup away loss to Wolverhampton Wanderers in August. The England international, who seldom loses his cool, was prevented from climbing over the advertising boards by stewards.
Team-mates Tomas Soucek and Alphonse Areola also attempted to defuse the situation. Post-match, former head coach Potter called for unity, while Bowen apologised for the interaction on social media.
“Apologies to the fans for tonight’s reaction,” the 29-year-old attacker wrote on his Instagram story. “I’m someone who is passionate and will fight every time I step on the pitch. But I need to set a better example and you fans know how much I love you and this club! We ride through the bad times together!”
Bowen had nothing to apologise for and the interaction was a sad reflection of the club’s plight.
Best game
The 1-0 victory over Arsenal in February stands out. Everything clicked in this match and it was easily the best moment in Potter’s reign. Ex-captain Declan Rice, who joined Arsenal for £105m in July 2023, lost sight of Bowen in the build-up to his winner, which pleased most supporters.
Best player
West Ham have scored 42 goals in the league this year — 13 by Bowen. He is the most important player and although doubts over his leadership remains among the fanbase, where would this team be without him?
He received praise from Pep Guardiola after the 3-0 loss to Manchester City and he is key to Nuno’s survival hopes.
The stat that sums up 2025
Only Wolves (64) have conceded more goals than West Ham (62) this calendar year in the Premier League. It highlights how porous the defence is, with centre-back Maximilian Kilman particularly subjected to heavy criticism in the away end during the defeat to Manchester City. Kilman, Jean-Clair Todibo, Igor Julio and Konstantinos Mavropanos are the options available to Nuno.
Nuno has a lot of issues to solve to turn West Ham’s season around (Molly Darlington/Getty Images)
But the head coach has failed to find solutions, which makes the addition of a defender in the January transfer window the only logical option.
Memorable quote
Former defender Vladimir Coufal being candid about how he was informed his five-year spell at West Ham was coming to an end.
“(Graham) Potter told me the club wouldn’t be extending my contract,” Coufal told The Athletic in late November. “I asked him why, and he said it was a club decision. Was it the manager who didn’t want me? The board? I have no idea. It was very disappointing. Our conversation lasted about 30 seconds. Five years at the club… for 30 seconds.
“The hardest moment was going home and telling my wife and kids. We cried and I was sad for her because she was leaving friends behind in London. My son (Nicolas, aged nine) started crying and didn’t want to speak to me for two days. He thought daddy would carry on at West Ham forever. I felt like it was my fault and I took it very personally.”
Most surprising thing that happened
West Ham sacking Potter the day after his pre-match press conference looking ahead to the away game against Everton. On September 26, Potter spoke about his future, the viral face swap memes and his strong relationship with the board.
He was relieved of his duties the following morning at West Ham’s training hub in Rush Green, and it shocked the squad.
Which of your club’s players will do best at the World Cup?
Providing Bowen is named in Thomas Tuchel’s England squad (and he should be), memories of his lack of involvement in the 2024 European Championships will fuel his motivation.
The winger only played 35 minutes across the seven games leading up to 2-0 loss to Spain in the final. But he impressed in the 2-0 victory against Albania in November and laid down a challenge post-match.
“What I’m up against is Bukayo (Saka), Noni (Madueke) is injured for this camp, Cole Palmer, Phil Foden can all play there — you’re talking about world-class, elite players and I’m in the same category,” Bowen told The Independent. “Bukayo has proved it at international and club level. It’s about pushing myself, pushing Bukayo and giving the manager and Bukayo a headache as well.”
Player to watch in 2026
In February, Ezra Mayers endeared himself to supporters when he made an incredible last-ditch tackle against Manchester United Under-18s.
Ezra says no way through 🚫 pic.twitter.com/IuPiN4o9ti
— West Ham United (@WestHam) February 4, 2025
The recovery run and timing of the tackle showed it was only a matter of time before Mayers would be fast-tracked to the first-team. That opportunity presented itself in July when the 18-year-old defender was part of West Ham’s pre-season training camp in Germany.
Academy graduates Freddie Potts and Ezra Mayers have been bright spots (Kevin Hodgson/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Nuno rewarded the youngster with a first-team debut in the 1-1 draw against Brighton & Hove Albion. Given his potential, it could be the first of many.
A wish for 2026
Simple: Avoid relegation.