“The timing is unusual two days before a game, but the writing was on the wall for Graham,” Cole said on TNT Sports’ live coverage.
“Unfortunately, it’s results-driven and to lose three games at home in the way they did in London derbies against Tottenham and Chelsea, wasn’t good enough.
“I don’t think he’s been given enough backing, in this transfer window in particular. He had the team to the end of the season, and then they (West Ham) should have gone, ‘right. If you’re our guy, there you go, what’s your plan?’
“But I think they just dithered and thought maybe, is he or isn’t he (the right man to manage the team)? And ultimately it was going in the wrong direction. So, I understand why the club did it. The real shame for Graham is that he came in at difficult time for the club.
“I would imagine the conversations would have been, right, we’re going to restructure, change the style of play, bring players in that you want to bring in, and that never happened.
“So, this season has been very difficult for him. I wish him the best in the future, and hopefully things can turn around for West Ham as well.”
Crouch echoed Cole’s sentiments and believes that the fan discontent concerning how the club operates is still a huge issue going forwards.
“The way the club operates has obviously been an issue since the start of the season. It was toxic, the fans had turned. I don’t think there was any real way back for him, and it’s obvious that the club has lined someone up.
“It was very apparent that the writing was unfortunately on the wall for Graham.”
There are reports that former Wolverhampton Wanderers, Tottenham Hotspur and Nottinham Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo is set to replace Potter.
The Portuguese could be in place in time for the match at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, and the TNT Sports duo believe the 51-year-old would be a perfect fit.
“Nuno is more of a defensive type manager and West Ham have been leaking goals, so he can improve them there, and their set pieces need to get better, so I expect Nuno to come in and take the job,” Cole added.
“It’s a good fit, but I think West Ham fans need Nuno to be an energiser, a lifter. That’s what the club needs at the moment.
“When you see people walking out after 30 or 40 minutes against Spurs and Chelsea, that’s not good.
“They want someone who’s going to get them going, get the fans going and get the lads believing.”
Crouch praised Santo’s job at Forest after transforming the club from relegation battlers to European qualifiers, but says that the poor relationship between the fans and board could prove to be detrimental.
“The job he did (at Forest) was fantastic. I know he had money to spend there, and he might not get the same backing at West Ham, which has been an issue. And that’s why there’s been a little bit of unrest with the fans.
“It’s not just Graham Potter and the team; it’s with the board as well. So, if they do give them the backing, what he achieved at Nottingham Forest was fantastic in a short space of time.”
How to watch Brentford v Manchester United?
TNT Sports is available across all major TV platforms, offering a line-up of up to four TV channels (TNT Sports 1, TNT Sports 2, TNT Sports 3, TNT Sports 4), and up to six digital or red-button channels (TNT Sports 5 to 10), and TNT Sports Ultimate plus TNT Sports Box Office HD.
Brentford v Manchester United will be live on TNT Sports 1 with coverage from 11:00 UK time on Saturday, September 27, ahead of kick-off at 12:30.
