Graham Potter (foto: Getty Images)
Graham Potter began his tenure as West Ham United coach with a disappointing 2-1 defeat against Aston Villa in the FA Cup.
The former Chelsea and Brighton manager now faces a challenging Premier League task.
West Ham, aiming for a European spot this season, currently sits in a modest 14th place after 20 rounds. Despite ambitions for higher positions, the club remains uncomfortably close to the relegation zone, prompting them to appoint Potter just days ago.
Potter, who had been out of work since April 2023 after being dismissed by Chelsea, finally returned to the Premier League. During his hiatus, he was linked with several clubs but struggled to secure offers matching his previous salary at Chelsea. The London club had continued to pay Potter severance installments amounting to 15 million euros until he accepted the West Ham job.
Potter’s next challenge comes quickly, as West Ham faces city rivals Fulham in three days. Fulham, unbeaten in their last nine matches, boasts a goal difference of +3, while West Ham has struggled with a -15 goal difference, having scored 24 goals and conceded 39 this season.
Despite the shaky start, there is still hope for Potter’s project at West Ham, but he will need swift improvements if they are to move away from relegation danger and climb toward European qualification.