Graham Potter sacked by West Ham

Graham Potter has been sacked by West Ham just five games into the new season.

Saturday’s 2-1 defeat to Crystal Palace at the London Stadium was West Ham’s third home loss of the campaign, with all three coming against London rivals.

While a 3-0 win at Nottingham Forest offered some relief, West Ham then lost 3-0 at home to Tottenham - adding to their early exit from the Carabao Cup.

The Hammers were also thrashed 5-1 at the London Stadium by Chelsea in a weak response to their opening Premier League defeat at newly promoted Sunderland.

The club confirmed the news on Saturday morning claiming that ‘results and performances have not matched expectations’ since Potter took charge eight months ago. They added that the process to replace the manager is already underway.

The statement, which was posted on X reads: “West Ham United can confirm that Head Coach Graham Potter has left the Club.

“Results and performances over the course of the second half of last season and the start of the 2025/26 season have not matched expectations, and the Board of Directors believe that a change is necessary in order to help improve the team’s position in the Premier League as soon as possible.

“The club can confirm that Assistant Coach Bruno Saltor, First Team Coaches Billy Reid and Narcis Pelach, Lead Goalkeeper Coach Casper Ankergren, and Goalkeeper Coach Linus Kandolin have also left with immediate effect.

“The board would like to thank Graham and his coaching 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.”

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Potter faced boos from the disgruntled fans during the three home defeats, with many leaving before the final whistle. He was appointed in January on a two-and-a-half-year contract as a replacement for Julen Lopetegui, but the Englishman lasted just 25 games in charge.

West Ham have won just three of their last 15 Premier League fixtures under Potter after a poor end to last season and are already facing up to a relegation battle. He won six of his 25 matches with five draws and 14 defeats.

The 50-year-old has now been sacked from his last two jobs. He lasted less than seven months and 31 games at Chelsea, following a more impressive spell with Brighton.

Potter becomes the second Premier League manager to be sacked this season, following Nottingham Forest’s Nuno Espirito Santo. The London club confirmed that the former Forest boss will replace Potter with Nuno signing a three-year deal at the London Stadium.

The decision to hire the Portuguese came just a few hours after Potter’s dismissal and Nuno will be in place to lead West Ham against Everton for Monday night’s Premier League encounter.

“I am very pleased to be here and very proud to be representing West Ham United,” said Nuno. “My objective is to work hard to get the very best from the team and ensure that we are as competitive as we possibly can be. The work has already started and I am looking forward to the challenge that is ahead.”