January 09, (THEWILL) – West Ham United have appointed Graham Potter as their head coach following the departure of Julen Lopetegui, with the former Chelsea manager signing a contract until 2026.
The announcement comes after West Ham’s board terminated Lopetegui’s tenure on Wednesday, in the wake of a 4-1 defeat at Manchester City.
Potter, who last managed Chelsea before being dismissed in April 2023, inherits a squad positioned 14th in the English Premier League table.
The 49-year-old English manager faces immediate challenges, with the team sitting just seven points above the relegation position after 20 matches played.
Potter said, “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
“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.”
The appointment follows Potter’s brief spell at Chelsea, where he managed 31 matches, winning 12, before his dismissal.
His tenure at Stamford Bridge came after an impressive period with Brighton and Hove Albion, where he guided the team to a ninth-place EPL finish in 2022.
Lopetegui’s exit marked the fifth managerial change in the League during the 2024/2025 season.
The Spanish manager departed after 22 matches in charge, with the club investing more than €140 million in transfers during his leadership, including acquisitions such as Maximilian Kilman, Jean-Clair Todibo, and Niclas Fullkrug.
Potter’s first challenge arrives immediately, with an FA Cup third-round fixture against Aston Villa scheduled for Friday.
The manager must address West Ham’s recent defensive issues, with the team conceding nine goals in their previous two EPL matches against Liverpool and Manchester City.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
