Graham Potter Reacts to West Ham Dismissal as Nuno Espirito Santo Takes Over

Graham Potter short spell in charge of West Ham United has come to an abrupt end, with the club confirming his dismissal on Saturday morning—just two days before their Premier League trip to Everton.

The decision was accompanied by the exit of five members of his coaching staff, including assistant Bruno Saltor and long-time colleagues Billy Reid and Narcis Pelach. Goalkeeping coaches Casper Ankergren and Linus Kandolin also departed immediately. The Hammers released a statement explaining the move, citing “results and performances over the course of the second half of last season and the start of the 2025/26 season” as falling short of expectations.

Graham Potter, who was appointed in January after Julen Lopetegui’s own short tenure, managed just 25 league matches. His record—one win in five games to begin the current campaign and four defeats—left the board with little patience. Ironically, his reign lasted only three games longer than Lopetegui’s, continuing West Ham’s recent managerial turbulence.

In a heartfelt statement through the League Managers Association, Potter admitted his disappointment but acknowledged the reality. “I am incredibly disappointed to be leaving West Ham United Football Club, particularly without being able to achieve what we set out to achieve,” he said. He went on to thank the board, the staff, the squad, and the fans, describing his time in East London as both “an honour and a privilege.” His farewell ended on a personal note: “Come on you Irons.”

West Ham wasted no time in finding a successor. By Saturday afternoon, Nuno Espírito Santo was confirmed as the new head coach, signing a three-year deal. The Portuguese tactician, known for his spells at Wolves, Tottenham, and most recently Nottingham Forest, will take charge immediately and debut on the touchline against Everton on Monday night.

Nuno expressed enthusiasm at the opportunity: “I am very pleased to be here and very proud to be representing West Ham United. 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.”

For West Ham supporters, this marks another turning point. Whether Nuno can steady the ship where Graham Potter faltered remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the club’s ambition demands immediate results.