Graham Potter Dismissed By West Ham After Poor Start To Season

West Ham United have parted company with head coach Graham Potter after a difficult spell in charge that lasted just nine months.

The Hammers confirmed the decision on Saturday morning, two days before their trip to Everton, with Potter departing after winning only six of his 23 league matches at the helm.

“West Ham United can confirm that head coach Graham Potter has left the club,” a statement read. “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 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.”

Potter, who succeeded Julen Lopetegui in January on a two-and-a-half-year deal, had been tasked with lifting West Ham up the table but left the club second-bottom of the Premier League. His reign included notable moments such as a shock 1-0 victory at Arsenal last season, though he ultimately failed to improve on the 14th place the Hammers occupied when he arrived.

This campaign has seen the team collect only three points from five games. Defeats to Sunderland, Chelsea, Spurs and most recently Crystal Palace, who left the London Stadium with a 2-1 win last Saturday, proved decisive. The Carabao Cup exit at Wolves also added to the pressure.

Potter himself admitted to the strain of the job earlier this season. Following the 5-1 home defeat by Chelsea, he said: “You are under pressure all the time in these jobs. In this situation, that is how it is. I know the territory, I know what comes with poor results and I accept that responsibility. It was too easy to score against us so I take my responsibility and I have to do better. That is the case with all the players.”

West Ham are now moving quickly to appoint a successor. Nuno Espírito Santo, dismissed by Nottingham Forest earlier this month, is understood to be in contention once legal matters are resolved. Head of recruitment Kyle Macaulay, a long-time ally of Potter, is also expected to depart.

_{Featured Image Credit: Unsplash / Samuel Regan-Asante, Pixabay / jorono}