Former Chelsea boss Graham Potter was named West Ham’s new manager on Thursday on a two-and-a-half-year contract, the club said, a day after sacking Julen Lopetegui.
Potter, 49, has been out of management since he was sacked by Chelsea in April 2023, just seven months into a five-year contract. He won 12 of his 31 matches in charge.
The Hammers are 14th in the Premier League, seven points above the relegation zone, after six wins in 20 league matches during former Spain and Real Madrid coach Lopetegui’s ill-fated tenure.
The London club’s final blow came on Saturday when they defeated champion Manchester City 4-1.
“I am delighted to be here”, said Potter.
“It was important to me that I waited until I found a job that I liked and that the club I belong to was the same.”
” That is the feeling I have with West Ham United. “
Before taking over at Stamford Bridge, Potter had successful spells with Swansea and Brighton before establishing himself as manager of Swedish club Ostersund.
Prior to his Premier League games against Fulham and Crystal Palace, West Ham will face Aston Villa in the FA Cup third round on Friday.
Lopetegui was the fifth Premier League manager to lose his job this season, following the sackings of Erik ten Hag (Manchester United), Steve Cooper (Leicester), Gary O’Neil (Wolves) and Russell Martin (Southampton).
West Ham were among the biggest spenders in the Premier League in the summer transfer window, splashing out around £125 million ($155 million) on players including Max Kilman, Crysencio Summerville and Niclas Fullkrug.
” My conversations with the chairman and the board have been very positive and constructive, “said Potter.
We “share the same values of hard work and high energy that make for successful organizations.”
And we are on the same wavelength when it comes to what is required for the short-term and how to advance the Club in the medium- to long-term.
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