West Ham United has announced the appointment of Graham Potter, the former Chelsea manager, as their new head coach.
The 49-year-old tactician joins the Hammers on a two-and-a-half-year deal, bringing a wealth of experience from his previous roles in English football with Swansea City, Brighton & Hove Albion, and Chelsea, where he departed in 2023.
A club statement released on Thursday expressed enthusiasm about Potter’s arrival:
"West Ham United is delighted to welcome Graham Potter as the club’s new head coach. The 49-year-old joins on a two-and-a-half-year contract and will lead the team for the first time in Friday’s FA Cup third-round clash against Aston Villa. A highly-respected coach with a progressive style, Potter was the Board’s unanimous choice to align with the club’s ambitions and objectives."
The statement highlighted Potter’s successful track record, noting his innovative tactical approach and previous achievements with Östersund, Swansea City, and Brighton.
In his first remarks as West Ham’s head coach, Potter shared his excitement about the new challenge and emphasized his commitment to building a team that supporters can take pride in.
"I’m delighted to join West Ham United," he said. "It was important to find a role that felt right for me and for the club, and that’s exactly what I’ve found here. My discussions with the Chairman and Board have been positive and constructive. We share the same vision for hard work, energy, and laying solid foundations for success."
He continued:
"West Ham is a huge club with a passionate fanbase and tremendous global support. The progress made in recent years, including their Europa Conference League triumph in 2023, shows the strong foundations in place. My goal is to build on this bedrock, develop the team further, and create something special for the fans."
Potter will be supported by an experienced backroom staff, including his assistant Bruno, first-team coaches Billy Reid and Narcís Pèlach, among others.
Potter's journey to prominence in football management has been remarkable. After a 14-year playing career with clubs such as Birmingham City, Southampton, and West Bromwich Albion, he transitioned into coaching, earning a Master’s degree while working with university teams.
In 2010, he took over at Swedish side Östersund, where he achieved three promotions in five years, won the Swedish Cup, and led the team to the UEFA Europa League knockout stages, famously defeating Arsenal at the Emirates.
His success earned him a move to Swansea in 2018, followed by Brighton a year later, where he guided the Seagulls to their best-ever Premier League finish of ninth in the 2020/21 season. His time at Chelsea, though brief, added to his experience at the highest level.
Potter now takes over a West Ham side struggling in 14th place in the Premier League table, just seven points clear of the relegation zone. His appointment follows the dismissal of Julen Lopetegui, who was relieved of his duties after a poor run of results, including a 4-1 loss to Manchester City.
