Everything former Chelsea boss Potter said after taking charge as West Ham head coach

West Ham United has appointed Graham Potter as their new Head Coach on a two-and-a-half-year deal, Soccernet.football reports.

Potter, 49, will lead the Hammers for the first time when they face Aston Villa in the FA Cup third round on Friday evening.

The highly-respected coach has been out of management since leaving Chelsea in April 2023.

However, his track record of progressive football and tactical flexibility at Östersund, Swansea City, and Brighton & Hove Albion made him the unanimous choice for the West Ham board.

Speaking about his appointment, Potter 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.

“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 joined by Bruno, Billy Reid, and Narcís Pèlach as part of his backroom staff, while goalkeeper coach Xavi Valero remains in his role.

The Solihull-born coach began his managerial journey at Östersund, leading the Swedish side to unprecedented success, including three promotions, a Swedish Cup victory, and a Europa League knockout-stage berth where they famously defeated Arsenal.

His subsequent tenures at Swansea and Brighton further cemented his reputation, culminating in a move to Chelsea.

After a brief hiatus to reflect and refine his ideas, Potter is ready to reinvigorate his coaching career at the London Stadium, aiming to guide West Ham to consistent success on both domestic and European fronts.