West Ham United have announced Graham Potter as their new manager, with the English boss agreeing a two-and-a-half year deal at the London Stadium.
The former Brighton and Chelsea boss Graham Potter takes over from Julen Lopetegui, who was sacked by the Hammers on Wednesday after overseeing an underwhelming 20 Premier League games in charge.
The Spaniard, who will be paid just over £3million in compensation by the Hammers due to a clause in his contract, was relieved of his duties following a poor run of form which culminated in a 4-1 defeat by Manchester City last Saturday.
The disappointing loss at the Etihad followed West Ham’s 5-0 drubbing at the hands of league leaders Liverpool six days earlier, with both results leaving the Hammers in 14th position in the Premier League table.
Graham Potter had been locked in talks with Irons owner David Sullivan ahead of Lopetegui’s official dismissal.
Potter told the club website: ‘I am delighted to be here. It was important to me that I waited until a job came along that I felt was right for me, and equally that I was the right fit for the Club I am joining. That is the feeling I have with West Ham United.
‘My conversations with the Chairman and the Board have been very positive and constructive, we share the same values of hard work and high energy to create the solid foundations that can produce success, and we are on the same wavelength in terms of what is needed in the short-term and then how we want to move the Club forward in the medium to long term.
‘West Ham United is a huge Club, at the heart of London, with a tremendous fanbase and great support all around the world. I saw the scenes that followed their Europa Conference League victory in 2023 and it was clear that this is a Club with everything in place to become consistently successful, both on and off the pitch.
‘The Club have made a lot of good progress in recent years and ensured there are some very strong foundations in place to build on. You don’t win a European trophy by fluke – there has to be a good bedrock at a football club for that to happen, and the challenge now is to take that on and build the next steps, to develop a team and a Club that the supporters can be proud of.’
Potter, who harboured plenty of praise during a fruitful spell at Brighton, endured a difficult six months in charge of Chelsea, losing 11 of his 31 games at Stamford Bridge.
Despite having not returned to management since being sacked by Chelsea in April 2023, Potter was West Ham’s No 1 target to replace Lopetegui, with Christophe Galtier, Paulo Fonseca, Edin Terzic and Michael Carrick among names on the shortlist.
After a raid from England’s new manager Thomas Tuchel saw Chelsea lose two staff members in Henrique Hilario and James Melbourne earlier this season, the Blues could now face further approaches from another former boss.
Ben Roberts and Kyle Macaulay accompanied Potter when he was appointed at Stamford Bridge in September 2022 as a goalkeeper coach and recruitment analyst respectively and both remain on the club’s staff.
As he assembles his backroom at West Ham, Potter could swoop to work again with his old colleagues, particularly Macaulay. The Hammers did not list their goalkeeping coach Xavi Valero as one of those who departed with Lopetegui on Wednesday morning.
Despite guiding the club to European glory and three top-10 Premier League finishes, the Hammers parted ways with David Moyes last summer due to a desire to improve the style of play.
Lopetegui was unable to carry out that instruction and frustrated supporters were subjected to directionless tactics with no clear motive.
Pressure had been mounting on Lopetegui for some time, starting with a 3-1 loss to Leicester at the start of December which led to the furious away section aiming ‘you’re getting sacked in the morning’ chants the Spaniard’s way.
However, a run of four league matches unbeaten – including wins over fellow strugglers Wolves and Southampton – appeared to buy Lopetegui time, who had also jetted home during that run following the death of his father.
‘The first half of the 2024/25 season has not aligned with the Club’s ambitions and the Club has therefore taken action in line with its objectives,’ read the club’s statement confirmed Lopetegui’s dismissal on Wednesday.
‘The Board would like to thank Julen and his staff for their hard work during their time with the Hammers and wish them every success for the future.’
Potter was in the television studio at the King Power Stadium during the defeat by Leicester on December 3 and admitted he was keeping an eye on a return to management.
‘Yeah, of course,’ he said. ‘As I’ve said before, you’re open to everything.’