Nuno Espirito Santo appointed West Ham manager after Potter sacking

West Ham United have appointed Nuno Espirito Santo as their new manager after Graham Potter was dismissed on Saturday morning, just two days before the club’s Premier League match against Everton. The 51-year-old Portuguese coach has signed a three-year contract and will take charge for Monday’s game at Goodison Park as West Ham attempt to arrest a dire start to the season.

Potter’s dismissal marks the second managerial casualty of the campaign after Nuno’s own departure from Nottingham Forest earlier this month. The Hammers had started the season poorly, sitting 19th in the table, with a run of four defeats in five league games and a league-leading 13 goals conceded. Potter, who had replaced Julen Lopetegui in January, had overseen 25 first-team matches, but results failed to turn around the club’s fortunes and the decision was taken to move in a new direction as the international break approached.

Nuno Espirito Santo returns to management after his recent spell with Nottingham Forest, where he was dismissed earlier this month amid a fractious relationship with the club’s hierarchy. His best-known work came at Wolverhampton Wanderers, where he transformed a recently promoted side into a consistent top-flight force, guiding them from the Championship to Europe and delivering Europa League quarterfinals and two seventh-place finishes during a four-year stint. His coaching career also includes stints at Valencia, Porto and Al-Ittihad, before arriving at Forest in December 2023 as they fought to avoid relegation.

Forest nonetheless rode a dramatic eight-month period under Nuno, guiding them to safety despite a six-point deduction and then helping them qualify for European competition last season. Yet his tenure in Nottingham ended earlier this month as relations with the club’s hierarchy soured, paving the way for his return to the Premier League with West Ham. Potter’s dismissal came on Saturday morning with the Hammers hovering near the bottom of the table, only weeks after he had been appointed to the job in January.

Speaking after his appointment, Nuno said he was eager to take on the challenge and help West Ham become as competitive as possible. 'I am very pleased to be here and very proud to be representing West Ham United,' he said. '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.'

Nuno took charge of training on Saturday morning and is expected to be in the dugout for Monday’s fixture against Everton. The timing adds an extra layer of intrigue, as West Ham’s only victory this season came in a 3-0 win over Forest, the club where Nuno previously cut his teeth in English football.

The departure of Potter, who had arrived amid fanfare in January, was accompanied by a reflective statement in which he acknowledged the results had not met the club’s expectations. '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,' he said. '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 eight 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.'