West Ham United have now identified an "outstanding" manager as a leading candidate to replace Graham Potter, according to a journalist.

Potter under West Ham pressure after poor start

West Ham have made a poor start to the new Premier League campaign, with a 5-1 thrashing at home against Chelsea probably the lowest point, although exiting the EFL Cup after surrendering a lead against Wolverhampton Wanderers has done Potter no favours.

As such, the Englishman is now under significant pressure, although Simon Jordan has suggested a lack of backing from the board could be the root cause of the Hammers' struggles.

Jordan said: "They went up to Sunderland on a bright sunny day, and gave Sunderland an opportunity to smash them 3-0 […] and West Ham were pretty dreadful in that game, and they’ve just been slaughtered by Chelsea.

"So the narrative has been that they haven’t won football matches, you can dress it however you want […] and you look at this and say it’s difficult to see what Potter is doing, I don’t think he’s been helped, how has he been helped?

"He’s not been given a lot of support economically in the acquisition of good players, he’s had to sell other players, so he’s not in great shape."

There may be cause for optimism after the most recent showing, however, with Potter's side securing a 3-0 victory at Nottingham Forest, courtesy of goals from Jarrod Bowen, Lucas Paqueta and Callum Wilson.

Prior to the surprise win at The City Ground, journalist Lorenzo Lepore took to X to reveal that Jose Mourinho was being lined up as one of the "leading" candidates to replace the 50-year-old.

Mourinho, who has won 26 trophies throughout an illustrious managerial career, would be available without any compensation, after recently departing Fenerbahçe.

"Outstanding" Mourinho could be risky appointment

The Portuguese manager's reputation speaks for itself, having managed some of the world's biggest clubs, with former Chelsea man Joe Cole lauding him as an "outstanding" manager during his time with AS Roma.

However, the 62-year-old hasn't had much success since leaving the Italian club, failing to win a trophy during his time with Fenerbahçe, before being sacked after being unable to guide the Turkish side to Champions League qualification.

Not only that, but Mourinho didn't have much luck during his previous stint in the Premier League either, being dismissed by Tottenham Hotspur after falling below the standards he set at Chelsea and Manchester United.

As such, the former Chelsea boss could be a manager in decline, so it would be a risk to bring the legendary manager in as a replacement for Potter, who will be hoping the victory at Forest will be the start of a turnaround.