West Ham United sack Graham Potter ahead of Everton clash

(Image: PA Wire/PA Images)

West Ham United have confirmed they have sacked manager Graham Potter as they sit firmly inside the Premier League relegation zone.

Potter replaced Julen Lopetegui in January 2025 but has not managed to change the club's fortunes around. The Englishman has won just six of his 25 matches in charge of the Hammers.

This season began with eight goals conceded in West Ham's opening two Premier League fixtures before they were dumped out of the Carabao Cup by fellow strugglers Wolverhampton Wanderers. Potter appeared to have conjured up a reprieve when he guided the Iron to a 3-0 victory over Nottingham Forest.

However, further defeats to Tottenham Hotspur and Crystal Palace last weekend appear to have cost the Englishman his job at the club. In a statement, West Ham confirmed: "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." The Hammers are due to travel to Everton on Monday night in their next fixture and it remains to be seen who will lead them for the game on Merseyside.

Former Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo and old head coach Slaven Bilic are among the names to have been linked with the vacant role. In his final press conference as West Ham manager, Potter spoke about his intention to turn things around at the London Stadium.

"You have to accept that at the highest level the margins are small," he explained. "We have to keep moving forward and try to change it.

"That's the job, that's life and we are looking forward to changing that dynamic. Anything that is worth having in life you have to accept there will be struggle. Football is tough."