Graham Potter appointed new West Ham United manager, replacing Julen Lopetegui
Updated 09/01/2025 at 18:54 GMT
Graham Potter embarks on his next managerial job at West Ham United after spells in charge of Ostersund, Swansea City, Brighton & Hove Albion and Chelsea. The Hammers called time on Julen Lopetegui's ill-fated reign at London Stadium on Wednesday and have turned to Potter to spark a revival in their fortunes. The 49-year-old has been out of work since leaving Chelsea in April 2023.
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Graham Potter has been appointed as the new West Ham United manager, replacing Julen Lopetegui.
Lopetegui was sacked on Wednesday after a largely underwhelming tenure in charge, with the club sitting 14th in the Premier League and seven points clear of the bottom three.
The Hammers have now turned to Potter, who earlier in his career had spells at Brighton & Hove Albion and Chelsea, to inject some energy into their season.
Potter has signed a two-and-a-half year deal at London Stadium, although there are multiple reports of a six-month break clause if certain targets are not met.
"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," Potter told the club website.
And speaking to the media for the first time since his appointment on Thursday, Potter reiterated his pride and excitement in taking on the new challenge.
"Very excited, very proud," he said. "Proud day to be head coach of this amazing club. Big tradition, big history, big expectation, big challenge.
"I'm really excited, it's almost a bit like Christmas. Christmas for the adults, not the best of sleeps last night but just from the excitement. Really looking forward to meeting the players, meeting the supporters and just getting going.
"It's been 20 months, 20 months of a good rest. In that time you speak to a lot of people. Lots of conversations with different owners, different directors.
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"But it was important I pick the right option for me at the right time. As soon as I spoke to this club it just felt right for me.
"It's an amazing club with a tremendous loyal fanbase that is passionate, knowledgeable, knows the football and knows what they want.
"When I hear [Pep] Guardiola say he's got something to prove then we all have. It's the reality of professional sport. I'm comfortable in my own skin, who I am and what I've done.
"But nobody is perfect. Life is about accepting set-backs and mistakes and moving forward. I think I'm a better coach for the experience, I feel well-rested."
The move represents an important appointment for the 49-year-old, who has been patient in waiting for his next opportunity following a difficult seven months in charge of Chelsea.
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Potter revealed as new West Ham United boss
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He was sacked in April 2023 with the club sitting 11th in the Premier League, despite signing a five-year deal when appointed the previous September.
This came after Potter enhanced his reputation with Brighton, leading The Seagulls to what was then their highest league finish - ninth in the 2021/22 season.
Potter spent three years in charge of Brighton after replacing Chris Hughton at the helm in May 2019, and was credited with implementing a more attractive, attacking style of football on the south coast.
After spells with non-league outfit Leeds Carnegie and Ostersund in Sweden, Potter took the reins at Swansea City, who he led to a 10th-placed Championship finish and a spot in the FA Cup quarter-finals.
Potter had tasted success before joining Swansea, as he guided Ostersund from the fourth tier of Swedish football to the top flight and Swedish Cup success.
That sealed a place in the UEFA Europa League for the 2017/18 campaign, and they progressed through the qualifying rounds to reach the group stage.
After finishing second in the group, they met Arsenal in the round of 32.
Despite a memorable 2-1 victory over The Gunners in the second leg, they were defeated 4-2 on aggregate.
West Ham need 'alignment' to navigate 'ruthless' Premier League
Potter also said that his new side need "togetherness" to better their position in a "ruthless" Premier League.
West Ham are currently 14th in the Premier League table, seven points clear of the relegation zone, but with just two wins in their last eight games.
"I met everybody on the board [and it was] really, really positive," Potter said.
"I’ve only been here a few hours so you’ve got to give me a bit of time to develop relationships. But I can only say from the last 12, 13 years of my career, that’s what I’ve tried to do everywhere I’ve gone.
"It’s important we have that togetherness, that alignment, that we’re going in the same direction. As soon as you start going off in different ways, the Premier League is ruthless. So the more together we are, the more aligned we are, the better."
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Potter added that implementing a clear style of play will help turn his new club’s fortunes around.
"There has to be clarity from me about how the team wants to play: how does that provide the direction for everybody around to make decisions, whether it’s recruitment or whatever," he said.
"Then it’s about having open, respectful dialogue. No one’s got all the answers, no one knows everything.
"This is a club that’s had recent success. I’m here now, so there’s a disappointment that’s been recent, but there’s a lot of good here, there’s a lot of positives here."
Potter was coy about the January transfer market, which is in full swing. West Ham might not be in a position to spend big having laid out £150 million worth of new signings for Lopetegui.
"The challenge is to make some quick decisions and learn around what we have," Potter said.
"The January window is not the easiest, it can be complicated. My focus is on the team that we’ve got. And then at the same time, always be aware of opportunities that can come."
Potter's next assignment on what he hopes will be the road back to European football is a trip to Aston Villa in the third round of the FA Cup.
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