Roy Keane explains why he is not convinced by West Ham's appointment of Graham Potter to replace Julen Lopetegui

Roy Keane has issued a stern warning to newly appointed West Ham boss Graham Potter as he criticized the Hammers hierarchy for “treating their managers very badly”.

Potter agreed a two-and-a-half-year deal to become Julen Lopetegui's replacement at the London Stadium on Thursday and is tasked with transforming the club's immediate form.

The former Brighton and Chelsea boss replaces 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 £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 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 14th in the Premier League table .

Potter had been in talks with Irons owner David Sullivan prior to Lopetegui's official sacking before being confirmed as the club's new manager. However, Keane is not convinced it is the best move for the Englishman's managerial career.

Roy Keane has issued a stern warning to newly appointed West Ham boss Graham Potter (pictured)

Potter has agreed a two-and-a-half-year deal to become Julen Lopetegui's replacement at the London Stadium.

Keane (left) questioned Potter's decision to join West Ham following the departure of Lopetegui (right)

In a previous sacking at Chelsea, Potter was brutally sacked by Todd Boehly after less than a season in the Stamford Bridge dugout and Keane believes similar personnel changes could occur in his new surroundings.

“It seems like a strange group at West Ham in terms of players and what happens at board level, we see that the way they treat the managers and what they have done with the previous manager they probably didn't give him enough time.” Keane told ITV Sport.

“If you look at the way they treated David Moyes towards the end, offering him a contract and then withdrawing it, I think they treat their managers at West Ham very badly.

“It's a great job, the players seem like a strange group, difficult to handle, with a lot of skill in the attacking areas and defensively everywhere.”

'Is it a good option? I'm not so sure. “Time will tell, of course, obviously give this man a chance,” Keane added.

Potter, who received much praise during a fruitful spell at Brighton, endured a difficult previous 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.

Keane also criticized West Ham's struggling first-team players as 'a strange bunch'

The Englishman, who had been considered one of the candidates for the England job after the departure of Gareth Southgate, seemed to contrast Keane's harsh criticism when presented to the Hammers.

'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,” Potter said upon joining.

'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.