Graham Potter Named New West Ham Manager

West Ham Confirm Appointment

• West Ham United confirm Graham Potter as their latest head coach.

• Former Chelsea and Brighton boss replaces Julen Lopetegui.

• Potter’s first match will be against Aston Villa on Friday in the FA Cup third round.

Lopetegui’s Departure

Julen Lopetegui’s tenure at West Ham United came to an end on Wednesday after just six months in charge. The Spanish manager oversaw only seven wins in 22 games across all competitions, prompting the club to make a change.

The decision to part ways with Lopetegui was finalized after West Ham struck an agreement with Graham Potter, whose arrival has now been officially announced.

Potter’s Statement

Upon signing a two-and-a-half-year contract, Graham Potter expressed his enthusiasm for the role:

“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. We are on the same wavelength in terms of what is needed in the short term and how we want to move the Club forward in the medium to long term.

“West Ham United is a huge Club, at the heart of London, with a tremendous fanbase and great support all around the world. I saw the scenes that followed their Europa Conference League victory in 2023, and it was clear that this is a Club with everything in place to become consistently successful, both on and off the pitch.

“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’s Managerial Return

Graham Potter returns to management for the first time since his departure from Chelsea in April 2023. His debut as West Ham manager will take place on Friday in an FA Cup third-round clash against Aston Villa.