West Ham United have announced Graham Potter as their new manager, with the English manager agreeing a two-and-a-half-year deal at the London Stadium.
The former Brighton and Chelsea boss replaces Julen Lopetegui, who was sacked by the Hammers on Wednesday after overseeing a disappointing 20 Premier League games.
The Spaniard, who will be paid just over £3m 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 to Manchester City on Saturday. past.
The disappointing defeat at the Etihad followed West Ham's 5-0 thrashing at the hands of league leaders Liverpool six days earlier, with both results leaving the Hammers in 14th position in the Premier League table .
Potter had been in talks with Irons owner David Sullivan before Lopetegui's official dismissal.
Potter told the club website: 'I'm delighted to be here. It was important to me to wait until I found a job that I felt was right for me and at the same time I was the right candidate for the club I would be joining. That's the feeling I have with West Ham United.
Graham Potter has been named West Ham United's new manager, the club confirmed today
He replaces Julen Lopetegui, who was sacked by West Ham after a poor run of form.
The Hammers have won just six of their Premier League games this campaign.
'My conversations with the president and the board of directors have been very positive and constructive, we share the same values of hard work and a lot of energy to create solid foundations that can produce success, and we are on the same page in terms of what is needed . in the short term and then how we want the Club to move forward in the medium and long term.
'West Ham United is a huge club, in the heart of London, with a huge fan base and great support around the world. I watched the scenes following their Europa Conference League victory in 2023 and it was clear that this is a club with everything it takes to have consistent success, both on and off the pitch.
“The Club has made a lot of progress in recent years and has ensured that it has a very solid foundation to build on.” A European trophy is not won by chance: there has to be a good foundation in a football club for that to happen, and the challenge now is to take that and build the next steps, develop a team and a club that the fans can be proud of. “
Potter, who received much 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 not having returned to management since being sacked by Chelsea in April 2023, Potter was West Ham's number one target to replace Lopetegui, with Christophe Galtier, Paulo Fonseca, Edin Terzic and Michael Carrick among the names. from the short list.
After a raid by new England manager Thomas Tuchel saw Chelsea lose two members of staff, 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 goalkeeping coach and recruitment analyst respectively and both remain in the club's squad.
As he sets up his backroom at West Ham, Potter could look to work again with his former colleagues, particularly Macaulay. The Hammers did not include 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 finishes in the Premier League, 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 his frustrated followers were subjected to directionless tactics with no clear motive.
The pressure on Lopetegui had been building for some time, starting with a 3-1 defeat to Leicester in early December, prompting the furious away team to shout “they're going to sack you in the morning”, they chanted in the direction of the Spanish.
Lopetegui could not improve the Hammers' playing style and at the same time win games
Potter's return to the dugout comes almost two years after Chelsea sacked the manager.
The former Chelsea manager was pictured with West Ham manager Tim Steidten.
However, a four-match unbeaten league run, including wins over fellow clubs Wolves and Southampton, appeared to buy time for Lopetegui, who had also returned 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 therefore the Club has taken measures in line with its objectives,” the statement reads. club statement confirmed this Wednesday the dismissal of Lopetegui.
“The board would like to thank Julen and his staff for their hard work during their time with the Hammers and we wish them every success in the future.”
Potter was in the television studio at the King Power Stadium during the defeat to Leicester on December 3 and admitted he was keeping an eye on his return to management.
“Yes, of course,” he said. “As I said before, you are open to everything.”