Graham Potter Breaks Silence After Being Replaced by West Ham Hours After Sacking

Graham Potter has broken his silence after being sacked by West Ham United and replaced in the dugout just hours after the announcement.

Potter had been under pressure at the London Stadium following a poor campaign last season in the Premier League after his appointment in January and form which had failed to sufficiently pick up at the start of this season and has left the club in the relegation zone.

The former Brighton and Chelsea boss undertook a pre-match press conference on Friday looking ahead to the Hammers being in action on Monday night away to Everton.

However, West Ham released a statement this morning confirming that Potter had been relieved of his duties at the London Stadium and has left the club.

Graham Potter has broken his silence after his sudden departure from West Ham United. (Image: Getty)

A West Ham statement read: "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.

Graham Potter has left West Ham United. (Image: Getty)

"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."

Potter's final game in charge of West Ham proved to be the 2-1 loss at the London Stadium last weekend to Crystal Palace.

West Ham have moved quickly to appoint Potter's replacement, bringing in Nuno Espirito Santo to the club.

Nuno recently left fellow Premier League club Nottingham Forest, where he was replaced by Ange Postecoglou, who had been sacked in the summer at Tottenham Hotspur.

Nuno said: "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."

Potter has now broken his silence on his West Ham departure via a statement issued through the League Managers' Association and has made his disappointment at losing his job clear, but accepted that results have not been of the standard required during his time there as he wished the club and its fans well for the future.

Potter said: "I am incredibly disappointed to be leaving West Ham United Football Club, particularly without being able to achieve what we set out to achieve at the start of our journey in East London.

"I do however fully acknowledge that the results have just not been good enough up to now. Firstly, thank you to the board for offering me the opportunity to manage the team during the past 8 months.

"It was an honour and a privilege to manage such a historic club, which holds such strong values for footballing traditions and passion for the game. I'd like to thank all the staff at the club who made me feel so welcome, the playing squad and their continued efforts during my time - and lastly the fans, who have been so supportive during what has been a difficult journey at times.

"I wish the club nothing but the best of luck for the future. Thank you and goodbye for now. Come on you irons. GP X."