Graham Potter confirmed as new West Ham boss after 21 months unemployed as Julen Lopetegui sacked in brutal statement
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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. 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.".
![[Graham Potter has been announced as the new West Ham manager]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/file-photo-dated-11-02-962400143.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
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.
![[Julen Lopetegui was sacked on Wednesday]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/file-photo-dated-27-10-962331572.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
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.
![[He has signed a two-and-a-half-year contract with the club]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/2021-brighton-hove-albion-manager-962452976.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
"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.
