Who Is Raphaël Wicky? | Swiss Manager Linked With West Ham Job
Raphaël Wicky’s name has recently appeared among the candidates linked with taking over from Graham Potter at West Ham United. Mentioned by ExWHUEmployee on The West Ham Way Patreon, the Swiss coach may be unfamiliar to many Hammers supporters, but he carries both a strong playing background and notable managerial experience which is worth looking into. Raphaël Wicky Playing Career Born on 26 April 1977 in Leuggern, Switzerland, Wicky made his name as a defensive midfielder, though he was also trusted in defensive roles. His club career took him from FC Sion to Werder Bremen, Hamburg & Atlético Madrid before finishing in Major League Soccer with Chivas USA. On the international stage, he represented Switzerland seventy-five times between 1996 and 2008. He played in Euro 1996, Euro 2004 & the 2006 World Cup, scoring once against the Faroe Islands in qualifying. Raphaël Wicky Coaching Career After hanging up his boots, Wicky started coaching youth sides at FC Thun and Servette FC in the Swiss Super League. He later moved to FC Basel, rising through their academy before managing the first team in 2017. That season he delivered a league & cup double, even guiding Basel into the Champions League last 16. He then switched to the United States, taking charge of the U.S. Under-17s and later Major League Soccer side Chicago Fire. In 2022, Wicky returned to Switzerland to manage Young Boys. His debut campaign brought another league and cup double, as well as Champions League football. He parted ways with the club in March 2024 after a difficult run of results. Raphaël Wicky Previous Links to West Bromwich Albion Earlier this year, Wicky was heavily linked with the West Bromwich Albion job. Birmingham Live journalist Joseph Chapman reported in January that he was in line to succeed Carlos Corberan after his departure to Valencia. Albion were set for their first permanent appointment under the Bilkul ownership, and Wicky was firmly in the frame, however in the end nothing came to fruition. Raphaël Wicky Honours and Achievements Raphaël Wicky West Ham Shortlist Status As of September 2025, Wicky is without a club but continues to be linked with roles across Europe. Claret and Hugh report that while his name has been mentioned, their transfer source confirmed he is not currently one of the final three shortlisted to replace Potter. The outlet added that his profile does not match the type of manager David Sullivan usually appoints, given his lack of Premier League experience. Still, the mere fact he was linked by ExWHUEmployee gives this link at least some weight… or maybe it was a name thrown in just to cause some chaos.
Potter Not Behind Callum Wilson Deal as West Ham Push Transfer Forward
West Ham are pressing ahead with a move for Callum Wilson, but the man in the dugout isn’t backing it. Despite terms being agreed in principle, manager Graham Potter does not support the transfer, according to Claret and Hugh. The push is being driven by outside influence, not the man tasked with building the team. Potter has made clear he wants to lower the average age of the squad and build a tighter, more cohesive dressing room. Wilson, who turns 34 this season, ticks neither box. Deal Driven by Agent, Not Footballing Logic This transfer isn’t rooted in Potter’s plans. It’s being pushed by agent Will Salthouse, with club executives apparently happy to override football logic to get it over the line. West Ham have released Danny Ings and are still working out Antonio’s future. But Wilson wasn’t a name on Potter’s shortlist. If the club follow through, it’ll be a boardroom signing, plain and simple. Wilson’s Injury Record Speaks for Itself The concern isn’t just that Wilson is injury-prone. It’s the scale of it. Across five seasons at Newcastle, he missed 114 matches due to 15 separate setbacks. That includes nine hamstring injuries, two calf problems, a back issue and illness-related absences. In total, he was sidelined for 677 days. To offset the risk, West Ham have reportedly offered a contract with a low base salary and large appearance-related bonuses (TBR Football). But structuring a deal like that doesn’t change the core problem. He’s barely been available. Fans Question the Fit Beyond the stats, there’s also the personal history. Wilson has regularly aimed digs at West Ham on his podcast, often mocking the club’s results and status. The idea of him suddenly wearing claret and blue has rubbed a lot of supporters the wrong way. Pair that with his age and track record, and it’s no surprise the reaction has been hostile. It’s hard to see how this fits into any version of a “rebuild” with Potter at the helm. Saudi Side Al-Ettifaq Now in the Picture New interest from Saudi club Al-Ettifaq could provide a way out. As reported by Ben Jacobs, they are exploring a move for Wilson and may offer better terms. That could be a win-win. West Ham avoid a divisive deal, and Wilson still gets his next move. If the club are serious about backing Potter and reshaping the squad, this should be the end of the story.
Potter Apparently Backs Callum Wilson Deal on One Condition
Graham Potter is understood to have signed off on West Ham United’s move for Callum Wilson, but only if the striker’s contract is tied to performance. That’s according to Claret & Hugh, who say the manager is now on board with the free transfer as long as the deal is structured around results. It comes after days of conflicting reports and rising fan tension, with fresh questions over how much control Potter really has over transfers. From Rejection to Reluctant Approval? Just earlier today, we reported how Graham Potter rejected the boards suggestion of brining in Callum Wilson. Since then, a senior club source has told Claret & Hugh that: “He [Graham Potter] is happy as long as contract is very success-related.” That shift in tone has already sparked debate online. Internally, the club reportedly sees Wilson as a short-term fix, someone who could offer experience and finishing instinct without risking a big fee or long-term commitment. Wilson, who turns 34 this season, is being lined up to compete with Niclas Fullkrug, whose fitness remains under watch, and to support younger options like Calum Marshall and Daniel Cummings. A Risky Addition The concern, as ever with Wilson, is fitness. His record is brutal: two ACL tears, calf problems, hamstring setbacks, a fractured foot. He has missed 57 matches in the last two seasons alone. Newcastle offered him a pay-as-you-play deal, which he turned down. Now, West Ham are reportedly putting together a similar kind of package, heavily based on goals and appearances. The aim is clear: keep the financial risk low, hope for impact when he’s available. Yet there is no escaping the gamble. When fit, Wilson delivers. He scored 18 goals in the 2022/23 season and helped fire Newcastle into the Champions League. But those moments have come in patches, not seasons. Sullivan, Salthouse, and the Same Old Concerns Behind the scenes, this deal has all the hallmarks of another David Sullivan special. Wilson is represented by Will Salthouse of Unique Sports Group, whose close relationship with Sullivan has been a recurring theme in recent windows. Fans have not missed that connection either. The signing has triggered a wave of criticism online, with many describing it as another example of the board overriding football logic in favour of short-term deals and agent ties. One commenter on Claret & Hugh put it bluntly: “This would be a typical, short termist Sullivan signing. Exactly the sort of signing that has seen the club’s fortunes plummet.” Fans Aren’t Buying It The backlash has been swift and widespread. From sarcastic comparisons to Danny Ings to outright anger over what supporters see as another “bargain basement” decision, the mood is tense. Supporters are questioning how Wilson fits into a project supposedly focused on youth, pace, and long-term planning. Others are sceptical about the framing of Potter’s approval, suggesting the manager may be playing along to avoid a bigger battle with the board. Still, a few have taken a more measured view, pointing out that Wilson could be useful in short bursts off the bench if managed right, and if his contract truly reflects the risk. Where Things Stand West Ham have not officially announced a deal yet, but the growing noise suggests Wilson’s arrival is edging closer. Whether Potter is quietly compromising or genuinely backing the plan with conditions, it is clear the move is happening on very specific terms. With trust in the board already fragile and a fanbase on edge, the club’s next moves, both on and off the pitch, will be under heavy scrutiny. In other news, the Irons look set to hold onto two key players, with Edson Alvarez and Nayef Aguerd now expected to stay at the club despite earlier speculation. Read the full update here.
On This Day: West Ham Signed Marko Arnautovic | Now He’s Off to Red Star Belgrade
Seven years ago today, West Ham pulled off what felt like a statement signing. Marko Arnautovic arrived from Stoke City for a then-club record fee. Now, at 36, he’s joining Red Star Belgrade after departing Inter Milan. His time in claret and blue was chaotic, brilliant, frustrating, and unforgettable all at once. A Signing That Got Fans Talking On 22 July 2017, the club confirmed Arnautovic had joined on a five-year deal. He became the third summer signing under Slaven Bilic, following Joe Hart and Pablo Zabaleta. Joint-Chairman David Sullivan said at the time: “Marko will bring plenty of quality to our front line and I’m excited to see him in a claret and blue shirt.” Arnautovic added: “Everyone knows that West Ham is a big club, with big history, and I’m happy to be a part of it now.” Arnautovic’s Rocky Start to Fan Favourite He didn’t hit the ground running. In fact, his early red card for an elbow had fans worried. But that changed quickly once Bilic pushed him into a central role. Arnautovic finished his first season with 11 league goals, becoming the first Hammer to hit double figures since Bobby Zamora in 2006–07. He ended up being voted Hammer of the Year. In 2018–19, he repeated the feat with another 11 goals before leaving midway through the season for China. Stats That Tell Part of the Story Competition Appearances Goals Premier League 59 21 All Competitions 65 22 He wasn’t just a goalscorer. Arnautovic brought grit, swagger, and that unpredictable edge that made him box office. One moment he’d frustrate you, the next he’d smash one past Chelsea and go full madman in celebration. When It Ended, It Felt Too Soon His switch to Shanghai SIPG didn’t sit well with everyone. Some fans felt let down, others understood the financial pull. Either way, his exit left a gap in the side. Love him or hate him, he carried the attack for two seasons and gave West Ham fans some big moments along the way. Before arriving in east London, Arnautovic played for FC Twente, Inter Milan, and Werder Bremen. After West Ham, he went off to China, then returned to Europe with Bologna, before rejoining Inter where he won the Serie A and Coppa Italia. Internationally, he’s racked up 125 caps and scored 41 goals for Austria, playing at three European Championships. The Next Stop: Red Star Belgrade Arnautovic has now signed for Serbian side Red Star Belgrade on a two-year deal. He’ll wear the number 89 shirt, honouring his birth year. The move isn’t just another transfer. It’s personal. Born in Vienna to a Serbian family, Arnautovic has long dreamed of playing for Crvena Zvezda. Now he’s finally got his wish. He joins on a free, with reports suggesting a salary of €5 million over the two years. Reflecting on Arnautovic’s West Ham Legacy Marko Arnautovic was never quiet. He wasn’t perfect. But for a short time, he made things exciting again. He brought goals, energy, and that edge West Ham had been missing. Yes, the exit was messy, but the impact before that? Undeniable. Whether it was the passion, the fights, or the big-game moments, Arnautovic left a mark in claret and blue that fans won’t forget any time soon.
“Pathetic” | West Ham Fans Erupt as Potter Rejects Board’s Callum Wilson Plan
West Ham are in the middle of a transfer row that’s threatening to boil over, with fresh claims that Graham Potter has rejected the club’s plan to sign Callum Wilson. What’s made this twist even more surprising is that just a couple of weeks ago, we ran a piece on murmurs in the agent world linking Wilson with a move to West Ham, but at the time, it felt like nothing more than background noise. Now, the situation has exposed clear friction between the club’s recruitment team and the board, and it’s setting the tone for what’s becoming a dramatic summer at the London Stadium. “We Expect to Sign Wilson” – Then Potter Says No It started with a report from Hammers News, where a senior club spokesperson stated:“The manager does not want a striker, which some feel is wrong. I feel we should sign two. We expect to sign Callum Wilson, but that might not be enough in my opinion, as he has had injury issues in the past too.” Wilson, released by Newcastle, has long been linked with a move to the Irons. He’s also been a long-time villain in the eyes of West Ham fans, regularly scoring against the club and once calling a controversial handball goal a “touch of magic.” Despite concerns, his name resurfaced again this summer, partly due to his links with Will Salthouse of Unique Sports Group, who is known to be close with majority owner David Sullivan. But that same deal now looks in doubt. Potter Reportedly Blocks the Move According to Claret & Hugh, Potter has put his foot down. The report claims the manager has refused the opportunity to bring Wilson to east London, and more broadly has no intention of signing a striker this window. That’s a huge turnaround, given the club previously aimed to bring in two forwards. Instead, Potter is thought to be happy going into the season with Niclas Fullkrug, Jarrod Bowen, and Calum Marshall as his options through the middle. The focus, it seems, is on getting creativity from other areas of the pitch. Whether that plan holds up remains to be seen. Fans React to the Growing Divide Supporters have started connecting the dots, and the early signs point to a clash in vision. One post from @WestHamViews_ summed up the mood:“If Potter’s been recommended the likes of Callum Wilson from members of the board to be his striker, then I understand why he’s now not fussed about signing in that position anymore. No point if it’s just a deadwood player.” Another from @WestHam_Central added,“So it’s Potter and Macaulay vs Sullivan already 😂😂 pathetic man.” The same account described the latest insider update as “like a soap drama,” and it’s hard to argue with that. What started as a quiet rebuild has quickly become messy and very, very public. What’s Really Going On at West Ham? The club is trying to shift toward a younger, more dynamic profile. That’s been clear with the signings of El Hadji Malick Diouf and Kyle Walker-Peters. But attempts to bring in Wilson, and the response from Potter, suggest there’s not total alignment at the top. Add in the departure of Mohammed Kudus and uncertainty around Michail Antonio, and the need for a fresh attacking plan becomes obvious. Whether Potter gets the full backing to shape that plan his way is another story. For now, the only thing that’s clear is that things are far from calm behind the scenes at West Ham.