Key Points
- West Ham United is enduring a difficult Premier League season with just one win out of five league matches.
- Manager Graham Potter faces mounting pressure after recent defeats, especially following a 2-1 home loss to Crystal Palace.
- Sources report significant internal evaluations at West Ham, with potential managerial replacements including Nuno Espirito Santo, former manager Slaven Bilic, and ex-Wolves coach Gary O’Neil.
- Wayne Rooney highlights the club’s problem is not just the manager but the lack of a consistent, clear playing philosophy or foundation.
- Rooney draws parallels with successful clubs like Brentford and Brighton, which have clear identities and stable managerial setups.
- West Ham’s squad is struggling with defensive issues, having conceded 12 goals—second only to bottom-placed Wolves—and scoring only five goals, placing them among the lowest scorers.
- Rooney criticises frequent managerial changes as disruptive, advocating for stability and a strong identity.
- This season marks the third managerial change since David Moyes left in May 2024.
- West Ham will face Everton on September 29, where they will face Moyes again.
- Rooney also refers to Manchester United’s similar issues, highlighting the need to stick to a single philosophy rather than constant changes.
- The former England and Man United striker comments on successful teams’ coherence, attributing their progress to consistent philosophies and stability.
Why is West Ham United Struggling in the Premier League This Season?
West Ham United has experienced a challenging start to the 2025/26 Premier League season, with only one league victory so far against Nottingham Forest and a heavy home defeat to Crystal Palace by 2-1. Manager Graham Potter, appointed mid-season last January after Julen Lopetegui’s departure, is under intense scrutiny, with the club internally reviewing his performance amid fan discontent and owner anxiety.
Potter’s tenure has seen six wins out of 25 matches, alongside 14 losses and five draws, a disappointing record for a club with aspirations to compete at the top level. The team’s deficiencies are evident in conceding 12 goals, ranking them as the second-worst defense in the league behind only the bottom-placed Wolves. Their offensive struggles match this, scoring only five goals, placing them near the bottom in goal production.
The club’s current position is 19th in the Premier League table, just above the relegation zone, intensifying pressure on the manager and players to reverse fortunes rapidly. Their early exit from the Carabao Cup at the hands of Wolves compounds the club’s woes this campaign.
What Did Wayne Rooney Say About West Ham’s Current Problems?
As reported by Alex Oakhill of Football Insider on 21 September 2025, Wayne Rooney emphasised that West Ham’s troubles are more profound than managerial instability. Speaking on The Wayne Rooney Show, Rooney explained, “Brentford and Brighton have a clear way of playing. They have their own philosophy regardless of who the manager is, and that’s why you’ve seen progression with those clubs.”
Rooney criticised West Ham’s history of frequent changes in philosophy, remarking, “What’s happening at West Ham at the minute is that David Moyes had a completely different philosophy to Graham Potter and to Slaven Bilic before. When you’re changing from philosophy to philosophy, which is what Man United have been doing in terms of Ten Hag and now Amorim, it takes time to get players out and then in. Before you know it, that manager doesn’t get the results and they’re gone, and then you’re back to square one. For the club to have a good foundation would help.”
He expressed concern about the cycle of hiring and firing managers without establishing a solid foundation or identity for the club, suggesting that stability and a consistent playing style are essential for long-term success.
What Are the Speculations on West Ham Managerial Changes?
The BBC Sport article by Rob Lancaster on 22 September 2025 reports that West Ham’s hierarchy is actively exploring alternatives to Graham Potter amid mounting pressure from poor results and fan dissatisfaction. Potential replacements named include Nuno Espirito Santo, recently dismissed by Nottingham Forest; former West Ham manager Slaven Bilic, who might be considered for a return; and ex-Wolves coach Gary O’Neil.
Should a change occur, it would mark the third managerial appointment at West Ham since David Moyes’ exit in May 2024, indicating a period of substantial instability within the club’s leadership. Meanwhile, Potter faces an uphill battle to win back trust and secure better performances to keep his position.
How Does Rooney Compare West Ham’s Situation to That of Manchester United?
In his commentary, Rooney draws parallels between West Ham and Manchester United’s struggles. Manchester United, like West Ham, has wrestled with changing managerial philosophies over recent seasons. As Manchester United transitioned from Erik ten Hag to Ruben Amorim, Rooney notes the disruption caused by constant changes, stating in the BBC Sport coverage:
“It requires time to transition players in and out, and before long, if the new manager fails to achieve results, they are gone, leaving the club back at square one,” Rooney said. “Establishing a strong foundation would be beneficial for the club.”
Rooney referenced successful teams such as Brentford and Brighton as exemplars, praising clubs that maintain a clear and consistent playing style that transcends individual managerial changes, promoting steady progress.
What Has Been the Response and Next Steps for West Ham?
With West Ham languishing in 19th place, the club faces a critical period to assess its direction and leadership. The upcoming match against Everton on 29 September, where David Moyes coaches again, provides an early test of the club’s resolve to halt its slide.
The onus now lies on owners, management, and players to establish a coherent plan and identity—the “good foundation” Rooney advocates—to stabilise performances. Fans await decisive action, whether through renewed support for Potter or a managerial change aiming for continuity and clarity.
How Has Wayne Rooney Reflected on Team Unity and Success?
In addition to his analysis of West Ham and Manchester United, Rooney shared insights regarding squad cohesion based on his playing experiences. On his BBC podcast, Rooney attributed former Manchester United’s success partly to the communication and bonding forged through playing video games like SOCOM on the PlayStation Portable during team travel.
He explained that this fostered teamwork and strategy off the field, qualities reflected in their effective play on it. Rooney’s reflections underline the importance of unity and a shared philosophy as essential ingredients for building successful teams.
