'It was important': Graham Potter explains why he waited 21 months to get West Ham job
Graham Potter has been named West Ham's new manager after Julen Lopetegui was finally sacked.
The former Chelsea and Brighton manager returns to football after being sacked by the Blues in April 2023.
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talkSPORT revealed on monday that the Hammers had decided to part ways with Lopetegui and his dismissal was finally announced on Wednesday.
Potter signs a two-and-a-half-year deal with West Ham and his first game will be the FA Cup clash with Aston Villa, live on talkSPORT this Friday.
The deal is understood to contain a termination clause at the end of the season if certain performance-based criteria are not met.
Stoke manager Narcis Pelach sacked He joins the Potter backroom alongside Bruno and Billy Reid, while goalkeeping coach Xavi Valero will remain in his role.
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The Englishman has turned down numerous offers to return over the past 21 months, including opportunities at Leicester, Wolves and Ajax.
Speaking to the club website, Potter explained why he felt the West Ham job was perfect for him.
He said: “I am delighted to be here. It was important to me to wait until I found a job that I felt was right for me and, equally, that I was the right candidate for the club I would be joining. That's the feeling I have with West Ham United.
“My conversations with the president and the board of directors have been very positive and constructive, we share the same values of hard work and a lot of energy to create solid foundations that can produce success, and we are on the same page in terms of what is needed . in the short term and then how we want the Club to move forward in the medium and long term.
“West Ham United is a huge club, in the heart of London, with a huge fan base and great support around the world. I watched the scenes following their Europa Conference League victory in 2023 and it was clear that this is a club with everything it takes to have consistent success, both on and off the pitch.
“The Club has made a lot of progress in recent years and has ensured that it has a very solid foundation to build on. A European trophy is not won by chance: there has to be a good foundation in a football club for that to happen, and the challenge now is to take that and build the next steps, develop a team and a club that the fans can be proud of. ”.
Even though Lopetegui was aware he was facing dismissal, he still trained on Tuesday and Wednesday while the club negotiated terms with Potter.
But Lopetegui canceled a planned team lunch on Tuesday night as the club prepared to confirm his fate, while a press conference on Wednesday was also cancelled.
western ham He then officially announced that the Spaniard's eight-month reign had come to an end.
A statement read: “The first half of the 2024/25 season has not aligned with the club's ambitions and therefore the club has taken action in line with its objectives.
“The club can confirm that assistant coach Pablo Sanz, head of performance Óscar Caro, chief analyst Juan Vicente Peinado, physical trainer Borja De Alba and technical coach Edu Rubio have also left the club with immediate effect.
“The board would like to thank Julen and his staff for their hard work during their time with the Hammers and wish them every success in the future.
“The process of appointing a replacement is underway. The club will not be making any further comments at this time.”
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The 58-year-old was only appointed in May to replace David Moyes, who left the club at the end of last season after his contract expired.
Lopetegui's position came under threat ahead of last month's clash against Wolves, before the Hammers embarked on a four-match unbeaten run.
However, they have suffered tough defeats in their last two games: a 5-0 at home against Liverpool followed by a 4-1 defeat in city of manchester – which has left the club in 14th place in the Premier League.
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- West Ham will win the FA Cup – 33/1
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