English Premier League club West Ham United has officially announced the appointment of Graham Potter as their new head coach. The 49-year-old manager has signed a two-and-a-half-year contract with the club.
Potter, a seasoned figure in English football with previous managerial stints at Swansea City and Brighton & Hove Albion, is returning to the Premier League after parting ways with Chelsea in April 2023. He will take charge of West Ham for his debut match in the FA Cup third round against Aston Villa on Friday.
The club expressed its enthusiasm in a statement, welcoming Potter as a highly respected coach whose experience aligns with West Ham’s ambitions. Potter’s impressive track record includes a successful period at Östersund, where he showcased his progressive style and tactical flexibility, attributes that have garnered attention throughout his career.
In his comments, Potter conveyed his excitement about the new role, emphasizing that he waited for the right opportunity that matched his skills and aspirations. He is committed to building a team that conveys pride to the club’s supporters.
“I’m delighted to be here,” said Potter. “It was important to me that I waited until a job came along that I felt was right for me, and that I was the right fit for the club I’m joining. My discussions with the Chairman and Board have been very positive, and we share the same values of hard work and energy.”
Potter recognized West Ham United’s potential to achieve sustained success, grounded in its passionate fanbase and recent European trophy triumph. “The club has made significant progress,” he noted, highlighting the need to capitalize on existing strengths to elevate both the team and the club to new heights.
As Potter steps into this new leadership role, he will be supported by his Assistant Coach, Bruno, along with first-team coaches Billy Reid and Narcís Pèlach.
After a distinguished playing career that included notable clubs such as Birmingham City and Southampton, Potter embarked on his coaching journey in 2010 at Östersund, leading them to remarkable successes, including three promotions and a Swedish Cup victory. His success continued at Swansea and Brighton before taking on the Chelsea challenge in September 2022.
Potter’s appointment comes on the heels of West Ham’s decision to part ways with former manager Julen Lopetegui after just 22 games, following a disappointing performance that left the team in 14th place in the Premier League, seven points clear of the relegation zone.
