Graham Potter confirmed as new West Ham boss after 21 months unemployed as Julen Lopetegui sacked in brutal statement

GRAHAM POTTER has been confirmed as West Ham’s new head coach following a 21-month break from football.

The 49-year-old replaces Julen Lopetegui, who was dismissed by the Hammers on Wednesday after just six months in the job.

PAGraham Potter has been announced as the new West Ham manager[/caption]

PAJulen Lopetegui was sacked on Wednesday[/caption]

ReutersHe has signed a two-and-a-half-year contract with the club[/caption]

Announcing Lopetegui‘s departure, a statement from West Ham read: “The first half of the 2024/25 season has not aligned with the Club’s ambitions and the Club has therefore taken action in line with its objectives.”

The East London side wanted to line up a suitable replacement before announcing Lopetegui’s departure.

Club officials opened talks with Potter this week before quickly sealing a deal.

The new head coach has penned a two-and-a-half year contract.

Potter has insisted that his break from the game has been down to him making sure he wanted to wait for the right fit.

He said: “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.

“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.

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“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.”

He will take charge of his first match this Friday when the Hammers face Aston Villa in the FA Cup third round.

Prior to his appointment, Potter had been out of work since April 2023 – when he left Chelsea following a poor run of results.

He was dismissed by the Blues just seven months into his time at Stamford Bridge.

Prior to his stint with Chelsea, Potter spent three years with Brighton.

The ex-defender has also managed Swansea, Ostersund and Leeds Carnegie.

Potter will have to juggle his West Ham job with a new role at the Professional Footballers’ Association.

The former Chelsea boss joined the PFA Business School this week as course co-director for the certificate in Football Psychology, Emotional Intelligence and Leadership.

Potter takes over at West Ham with the club 14th in the Premier League table.

His first Prem match at the London Stadium will be a derby clash with Fulham next Tuesday.

He is expected to name former Stoke City manager Narcis Pelach as his no.2 at the club.

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