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West Ham hands Graham Potter two-and-a-half year contract
West Ham hands Graham Potter two-and-a-half year contract
By: Nii Ammui Fio | 3 mins read
West Ham United has appointed Graham Potter as the club's new Head Coach on a two-and-a-half year deal. The 49-year-old will take charge of his first game when the Hammers face Aston Villa in the FA Cup third round on Friday evening.
Potter, widely respected for his progressive coaching style, was the unanimous choice of the club’s board as they seek to build on recent successes. He had been without a managerial role since leaving Chelsea in April 2023 and has been awaiting the right opportunity to return to Premier League management.
The former Brighton, Swansea, and Östersund coach expressed his excitement about leading West Ham, emphasizing his alignment with the club's ambitions and values.
“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," Potter said.
“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, and we are on the same wavelength in terms of what is needed in the short-term and then 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 will be supported by a familiar coaching team including Bruno (Assistant Coach), Billy Reid (First-Team Coach), and Narcís Pèlach (First-Team Coach). Goalkeeper Coach Xavi Valero will remain in his role.
Considered one of English football's brightest coaching minds, Potter holds a Master’s degree in leadership and emotional intelligence. His managerial journey began after a 14-year playing career that included spells at Birmingham City, Southampton, West Bromwich Albion, and Stoke City.
Potter’s managerial rise began at Swedish club Östersund in 2010, where he achieved three promotions in five seasons, lifted the Swedish Cup, and guided the club to the knockout stages of the UEFA Europa League, including a memorable victory over Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.
His success in Scandinavia led to his appointment at Swansea City in 2018, where his dynamic style drew attention despite a short tenure. He then joined Brighton in 2019, guiding the Seagulls to a then-record Premier League finish of ninth in the 2020/21 season.
Potter's impressive run earned him the Chelsea job in 2022, but his time at Stamford Bridge ended in April 2023. After an 18-month break, during which he continued studying the game and working in the media, he now returns to Premier League management with West Ham.
The club extended a warm welcome to Potter, his family, and his staff, wishing them success as they aim for continued progress at London Stadium.
