‘It was important’ – Graham Potter explains why he waited 21 months to land West Ham job

Graham Potter has been appointed as the new West Ham manager after Julen Lopetegui was finally sacked.

The ex-Chelsea and Brighton boss returns to football after being sacked by the Blues in April 2023.

talkSPORT revealed on Monday that the Hammers had decided to part company with Lopetegui and his sacking was finally announced on Wednesday.

Potter signs a two-and-a-half year contract with West Ham and his first match will be the FA Cup clash with Aston Villa - live on talkSPORT this Friday.

It is understood the deal contains a break clause at the end of the season if certain performance-based criteria are not met.

The Englishman rejected numerous offers to return over the past 21 months, including opportunities at Leicester, Wolves and Ajax.

Speaking to the club's website, Potter explained why he considered the West Ham job perfect for him.

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.

“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.”

Despite Lopetegui being aware he was facing the sack, he still took training on Tuesday and Wednesday as the club thrashed out terms with Potter.

But Lopetegui cancelled a planned team meal on Tuesday night as the club prepared to confirm his fate, while a press conference was also scrapped on Wednesday.

West Ham then officially announced that the Spaniard’s eight-month reign had been brought to an end.

A statement 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.

"The club can confirm that Assistant Head Coach Pablo Sanz, Head of Performance Oscar Caro, Head Analyst Juan Vicente Peinado, Fitness Coach Borja De Alba and Technical Coach Edu Rubio have also left 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 for the future.

"The process of appointing a replacement is underway. The club will be making no further comment at this time."

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 had come under threat prior to last month’s clash with Wolves, before the Hammers embarked on a four-match unbeaten run.

However, they have suffered heavy defeats in their past two games - a 5-0 thumping at home by Liverpool followed by a 4-1 loss at Manchester City - which has left the club 14th in the Premier League.