London, Jan 9 (NationPress) West Ham United has revealed that Graham Potter is their new head coach, signing a contract that spans two and a half years. He takes over from Julen Lopetegui, who was relieved of his duties on Wednesday following a brief tenure of just 20 matches.
Potter will lead his new squad for the first time when West Ham faces Aston Villa in the third round of the FA Cup on Friday evening. His inaugural match in the Premier League will be a London derby at home against Fulham on January 14. He will be supported at the club by Bruno (Assistant Coach), Billy Reid (First-Team Coach), and Narcis Pelach (First-Team Coach).
The 49-year-old, who has previously coached Brighton & Hove Albion and Chelsea, returns to the Premier League after a hiatus of 21 months, having left Chelsea in April 2023.
"I am thrilled to be here. It was crucial for me to wait for the right opportunity, and I believe I am a good fit for this club," Potter expressed in a statement.
“My discussions with the Chairman and the Board have been very encouraging and productive. We share a commitment to hard work and high energy to build a solid foundation for success, and we are aligned on the immediate and long-term goals for the Club.
“West Ham United is a significant Club located in the heart of London, boasting an incredible fanbase and extensive support globally. I witnessed the celebrations following their Europa Conference League triumph in 2023, and it's evident that this club is well-positioned for consistent success both on and off the field.
Potter enjoyed a 13-year playing career in the Football League as a full-back, representing clubs such as Birmingham City, Stoke City, and West Bromwich Albion. He made eight appearances in the Premier League for Southampton during the 1996/97 season, featuring in a memorable 6-3 victory over Manchester United.
After concluding his playing career in 2005, Potter transitioned to a role as a football development manager at Hull University, including a secondment as the technical director for Ghana’s women’s team during the 2007 World Cup.
He embarked on his coaching journey with university teams before securing his first managerial position at Ostersund in 2010. Under his leadership, the Swedish team achieved an extraordinary feat of three promotions in five seasons to reach the top division, won the Swedish Cup, and advanced to the knockout stages of the UEFA Europa League, notably defeating Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.
In June 2018, Potter returned to the UK to manage Swansea City, which had recently been relegated from the Premier League. A year later, he took over at Brighton, guiding the Seagulls to a record-high Premier League finish of ninth in the 2020/21 season.
Following impressive performances and style on the south coast, Potter joined Chelsea in September 2022, but parted ways with Stamford Bridge in April 2023.
Currently, West Ham sits in 14th place in the Premier League standings, seven points clear of the relegation zone.
