By Victor Kanayo
English Premier League club, West Ham, Thursday announced the appointment of former Chelsea boss, Graham Potter, as its new manager.
The club confirmed his appointment via a statement on its website.
Part of the statement reads: “West Ham United is delighted to welcome Graham Potter as the club’s new head coach. The 49-year-old joins the Hammers on a two-and-a-half-year contract and will take charge of his new team for the first time when the Irons travel to Aston Villa in the FA Cup third round on Friday evening.
“A highly-respected and sought-after coach, Potter has been awaiting the right opportunity after leaving his last role at Chelsea in April 2023 and was the Board’s unanimous choice to take the club forward in line with its objectives and ambitions.
“Potter, whose progressive style and flexible tactical approach previously impressed at Swedish club Östersund, Swansea City, and Brighton & Hove Albion, has a passion for a return to Premier League management and is relishing the opportunity to work with West Ham United’s talented squad of international players.”
Potter has been out of management since he was sacked by Chelsea in April 2023, just seven months into a five-year contract.
He won a mere 12 of his 31 matches in charge.
West Ham had sacked Julen Lopetegui after just 22 games in charge.
He was the fifth Premier League manager to lose his job this season, following the sackings of Erik ten Hag, Steve Cooper, Gary O’Neil, and Russell Martin.
The Hammers are 14th in the Premier League table, seven points above the relegation zone, after just six wins from 20 league matches during the Spaniard’s tenure.
A 4-1 hammering at champions Manchester City on Saturday was the final straw for club chiefs.
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 Füllkrug.
West Ham face Aston Villa in the FA Cup third round on Friday.
