Former Chelsea boss Graham Potter appointed as West Ham’s new manager

West Ham United have announced the appointment of Graham Potter as new head coach of the London club on Thursday.

Potter takes over at the club less than 24 hours after the sack of Julen Lopetegui, the former head coach, and his backroom staff.

Potter has signed a two-and-a-half-year contract and will immediately take charge of the team’s official matches. The English manager will be supported by the newly appointed trio of Bruno, the assistant coach, with Billy Reid and Narcís Pèlach as first-team coaches.

According to the club’s statement, 49-year-old Potter was the unanimous choice of the hierarchy. West Ham also added that Potter is ready to lead the “talented team” into the future.

“West Ham United is delighted to welcome Graham Potter as the Club’s new Head Coach,” the statement reads.

“A highly-respected and sought-after coach, Potter has been awaiting the right opportunity after leaving his last role at Chelsea in April 2023, and was the Board’s unanimous choice to take the club forward in line with its objectives and ambitions.

“Potter, whose progressive style and flexible tactical approach previously impressed at Swedish club Östersund, Swansea City and Brighton & Hove Albion, has a passion to return to Premier League management and is relishing the opportunity to work with West Ham United’s talented squad of international players.”

In his first words after joining the underperforming club, Potter, who made a name for himself in the EPL as Brighton & Hove Albion manager, could not hide his delight at returning to management after nine months without a job following his sack by Chelsea.

He added that he shares similar values with the club and is looking to build on West Ham’s triumph in the UEFA Conference League last season.

“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.

“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 was Chelsea’s manager for seven months before he was sacked in April 2023. He was relieved of the job after leaving the Blues in 11th place on the Premier League table, 12 points below the UEFA Champions League (UCL) spots.

Potter will take charge of his new team for the first time on Friday when West Ham United visit Aston Villa in the third round of the English FA Cup.