Graham Potter to West Ham: Former Chelsea boss closing in on managerial return following positive talks

Graham Potter closing in on a return to management with West Ham to replace Julen Lopetegui; positive talks held with club officials and he could be in charge for the FA Cup clash against Aston Villa on Friday; Everton retain an interest in Potter with pressure growing on Sean Dyche

Rob Dorsett

Senior Reporter, Sky Sports News @RobDorsettSky

Wednesday 8 January 2025 10:06, UK

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Sky Sports senior reporter Rob Dorsett explains why Graham Potter is a man in demand at the moment, with both West Ham and Everton reportedly keen on his services - should they decide to change manager.

Graham Potter is closing in on a return to football to replace Julen Lopetegui at West Ham after further positive talks with club officials.

Sky Sports News understands there is optimism from both sides that a deal can be done, with the 49-year-old potentially taking charge of the upcoming FA Cup third-round clash with Aston Villa on Friday.

There are still contractual details to be agreed between the two parties and Everton maintain an interest in the background, as pressure continues to grow on current boss Sean Dyche.

Potter has been out of management since leaving Chelsea in April 2023 after previously taking charge of Brighton and Hove Albion, Swansea City and Swedish side Ostersund.

Lopetegui took West Ham training on Tuesday ahead of Friday's cup tie with Villa.

West Ham have also held interviews with Paulo Fonseca, who left AC Milan last month, and Christophe Galtier, who currently manages Qatari side Al-Duhail.

Potter has been determined to take his time in selecting his next role, feeling it is a crucial decision after the crushing disappointment of his time at Stamford Bridge.

He has been out of work for more than 18 months since being sacked by Chelsea in April 2023, and he has been determined to take stock after the first really significant setback in a managerial career which has otherwise been on a consistent rise.

Potter turned down the chance to take over at Ajax when he was first choice with the Amsterdam club, and similarly distanced himself from opportunities at Leicester, Southampton and even AC Milan last spring, because he did not feel they were right for him.

Financially too, there has been no rush for Potter to get a new job, because he was entitled to a lucrative severance package from Chelsea which sustained him long after his sacking.

Nevertheless, he has been ready to get back into football for several months, and has been actively considering various options.

Sources close to Lopetegui understand the West Ham head coach has been surprised and frustrated by the situation around his future.

Despite results, Lopetegui feels the West Ham players and changing room is still behind him, including captain Jarrod Bowen and players who have not been featuring regularly under the Spaniard.

If he was to be kept on, Lopetegui is confident maximum points could be obtained from West Ham's next two league games at home to Fulham and Crystal Palace.

Before their 5-0 loss to Liverpool, West Ham picked up eight points from a possible 12 against Wolves, Bournemouth, Brighton and Southampton and Lopetegui believes they showed signs of improvement in that period.

However, since then West Ham have suffered back-to-back defeats against Liverpool and then 4-1 at Man City on Saturday.

West Ham sit 14th in the Premier League with six wins from 20 games.

Will this delay West Ham transfer activity?

Sky Sports News' Rob Dorsett speaking on Tuesday evening:

"I expect [Graham Potter] to be appointed in the next couple of days.

"Then they will be talking to Potter about which new signings he would like. Virtually every club in the Premier League has a sporting director and a technical director.

"One is dealing with the managerial situation, it may be the sporting director in charge of the footballing policy.

"I understand West Ham are pretty active even after spending £100m in the summer, they are looking at what is out there and are interested in Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall. It does not put their transfer business on hold but it might be delayed."

Carra: Potter to West Ham is good for both

Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher believes West Ham may finally be getting the manager they thought they were getting in Lopetegui, should Potter be appointed.

Speaking on Monday Night Football, he said: "The whole reason they moved away from David Moyes was not actually the results as such - the last season wasn't great, they had better seasons. In the main Moyes did a good job at West Ham. But I always felt West Ham wanted their 'Roberto De Zerbi', a guy who comes in and plays brilliant football.

"But don't forget it started with Graham Potter who came off the back of Chris Hughton who was a different type of manager and they [Brighton] wanted to change things. West Ham wanted to change things and be a team that's on the front foot and take the game to the opposition.

"We know Potter can do that. If he can unlock some of the attacking talents West Ham have got, it's a good move for both if the deal comes off."

Potter's first five games?

January 10: Aston Villa - FA Cup
January 14: Fulham - Premier League
January 18: Crystal Palace - Premier League
January 26: Aston Villa - Premier League
February 3: Chelsea - Premier League, live on Sky Sports