West Ham confirm Potter as new manager

West Ham have appointed Graham Potter as their new head coach after sacking Julen Lopetegui.

Former Brighton and Chelsea boss Potter has agreed a two-and-a-half-year contract to return to management 20 months after he was dismissed by the Blues.

"Very excited, very proud day to be head coach of this amazing club," said Potter.

"It's a big tradition, big history, big expectation. A big challenge. It’s a bit like Christmas for the adults. Excited, not the best of sleeps last night just from excitement. Looking forward to meeting the players, meeting our supporters and getting going."

Potter’s appointment at Stamford Bridge lasted only seven months, his time in west London defined by inconsistent results and turmoil off the pitch after a whirlwind recruitment drive left him with a bloated, inexperienced squad to work with.

He was linked with several posts during his time out of management, including the England job, and was reportedly close to agreeing to take over at Ajax in the Eredivisie last season.

"It’s been 20 months of a good rest, a good break," he said.

"In that time you speak to lots of people, lots of conversations with different owners and directors.

"It was important that I chose the right option for me at the right time. As soon as I spoke to this club, it felt right for me.

"When you’ve had lots of time to think, sometimes it’s a feeling in you. The board’s ambition, their trust and belief in me, looking at the playing squad and the academy.

"It’s a massive club but it’s a family club. I like that connection, that sense of fighting together."

Potter, 49, began his managerial career at Swedish club Ostersund and successful spells with Swansea and Brighton prompted Chelsea to appoint him to replace Thomas Tuchel in September 2022.

But he lasted just seven months into a five-year contract before being axed the following April, having lost 11 of his 31 matches in charge.

Julen Lopetegui's short spell in charge drew to a close on Wednesday

The former winger faces a challenge to drag West Ham up the Premier League table after an indifferent first half of the campaign.

Lopetegui had been appointed with the aim of installing a fresh, more expansive style of football than under former boss David Moyes but failed to match the success of his predecessor, who left the London Stadium in May.

Moyes led the club to their first trophy since 1980 when they lifted the Europa Conference League in 2023 following victory over Fiorentina in the final in Prague.

"It's an amazing tradition here," said Potter.

"There’s expectation, there’s demands, a recent history of success. My experience is if you can build a team that is recognisable on the pitch, that supporters proudly identify with and enjoy watching; if you get that connection between the players and supporters, everybody aligned.

"If that’s there, with that trust and connection, why put a ceiling on anything? Let’s go with the journey, be excited and go with a smile."

Potter will take charge of his first match when West Ham travel to Aston Villa in the FA Cup on Friday.

Amid injuries to Jarrod Bowen and Michail Antonio - the latter as a result of a recent car crash - the Hammers have been linked with moves to bolster their attacking department, including speculation about an interest in signing Republic of Ireland and Brighton striker Evan Ferguson on loan during this January transfer window.

Potter previously coached the former Bohemians forward during his spell in charge at Brighton, giving the now 20-year-old his Seagulls first team debut in August 2021.

Potter's predecessor, Lopetegui, paid the price for back-to-back heavy defeats by Liverpool and Manchester City over the Christmas period, with the Hammers a lowly 14th in the Premier League.

The 58-year-old Spaniard was appointed in May to replace David Moyes, who left the club at the end of last season after his contract expired.

But West Ham said: "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."

The club has been criticised for its handling of the situation, with Lopetegui dutifully taking training on Tuesday and Wednesday despite knowing West Ham owner David Sullivan and his board were in talks with his successor.

Former boss Harry Redknapp told BBC Radio London: "It's disrespectful, no doubt about that.

"If you want to get rid of him, you call him and say 'I'm sorry it's not worked out'. Obviously talks have been going on with Graham Potter."

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