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Graham Potter made history in Friday night’s FA Cup clash at Aston Villa.
The former Brighton and Chelsea boss took charge of West Ham for the first time at Villa Park following his appointment as Julen Lopetegui’s successor this week.
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Potter had been out of work since his departure from Chelsea almost two years ago and had been courted by a host of clubs in the Premier League and across Europe.
It was believed that Potter was holding out for the England job but that idea was ruled out when Thomas Tuchel – ironically the man he replaced at Stamford Bridge – was handed the reins by the FA.
West Ham’s abject season called for the early departure of former Real Madrid head coach Lopetegui who left on Monday with the club in 14th place and on a run of two wins in eight games.
Potter had little time to prepare his side for Friday’s FA Cup tie having only been appointed on Thursday.
He was quickly thrust into the limelight and made club history in the process.
That’s because he became the first West Ham United manager whose first game in charge is in the FA Cup.
Potter is West Ham's 18th manager in club history with no other boss having made their bow in the world’s oldest domestic cup competition.
And from the sound of things, Potter is relishing the prospect of his new role at the London Stadium
“I am delighted to be here,” he told the club’s website. “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.
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Potter's first task will be to plug the gaps in his side’s defence following two heavy defeats in succession.
West Ham were thrashed 5-0 by leaders Liverpool on December 29 before slipping to a 4-1 defeat at Manchester City last weekend.
The trip to face Unai Emery’s side will present a significant challenge for Potter but two London derbies in the space of a week will give him the opportunity to assess where his team are at.
West Ham host Fulham on Tuesday before Crystal Palace visit the London Stadium next weekend.
The games will offer Potter his first taste in the home dugout while providing the opportunity to pull further clear of the bottom three with West Ham currently seven points ahead of 18th-placed Ipswich.
