Graham Potter's first words as new West Ham manager with contract details revealed

Graham Potter admits that he was waiting for the perfect opportunity to step back into management after the former Chelsea head coach saw his appointment at West Ham United confirmed.

The 49-year-old has replaced Julen Lopetegui - who was sacked less than 24 hours ago - in the London Stadium dugout. Potter has put pen-to-paper on a two-and-a-half-year contract with the Hammers.

He will be joined at West Ham by Bruno as his assistant, with Billy Reid (first-team coach) and Narcis Pelach (first-team coach) also arriving, while Xavi Valero stays on as goalkeeping coach. Potter will take charge against Aston Villa in an FA Cup Third Round tie at Villa Park on Friday night.

Speaking to West Ham media, he said: "I'm delighted to be here. 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 that I'm joining, and 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 wave-length 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.

"West Ham United is a huge club, at the heart of London, with a tremendous fanbase and great support all around the world. I saw the scenes that followed their Europa Conference League victory in 2023 and it was clear that this is a Club with everything in place to become consistently successful, both on and off the pitch."

Potter, 49, continued: "The club have made a lot of good progress in recent years and ensured there are some very strong foundations in place to build on. You don't win a European trophy by fluke - there has to be a good bedrock at a football club for that to happen, and the challenge now is to take that on and build the next steps - to develop a team and a club that the supporters can be proud of."