Potter breaks silence on West Ham sacking as club appoints Santo

West Ham United confirmed Graham Potter has left the club after 25 games in charge, with Nuno Espirito Santo appointed to take over ahead of Monday's Premier League trip to Everton. Potter issued a public response through the League Managers Association, saying he was "incredibly disappointed" to be leaving and acknowledging that the results had not been good enough.

An official West Ham statement said results and performances over the second half of last season and the start of the 2025/26 season "have not matched expectations" and that a change was necessary to "help improve the team's position in the Premier League as soon as possible." The statement also confirmed that assistant coach Bruno Saltor, first-team coaches Billy Reid and Narcis Pelach, lead goalkeeper coach Casper Ankergren, and goalkeeper coach Linus Kandolin had left with immediate effect.

Potter's tenure ended with West Ham languishing in 19th place, having won just three of 15 Premier League games since his arrival. The club's only victory this season came in a 3-0 win at Nottingham Forest, which happened to be the side managed by the man who would soon replace him as head coach. His final match came last weekend, a 2-1 home defeat by Crystal Palace.

Potter was appointed in January to replace Julen Lopetegui and had faced a run of disappointing results that included a 3-0 defeat at Sunderland on opening day, a 5-1 loss to Chelsea at home and an EFL Cup exit at the hands of Wolverhampton Wanderers. A win at Forest had offered a brief lift before losses to Tottenham Hotspur and Crystal Palace stretched West Ham's position near the relegation zone.

In his final press conference, Potter spoke about the pressure surrounding the job and acknowledged that results were not good enough, while saying there had been positive talks with the club's hierarchy. He added that there was always speculation and noise in the Premier League, but insisted he remained focused and prepared to take the necessary steps.

West Ham's board cited a need for a course correction and announced that the club would move to appoint Santo, a move seen as a return to a more pragmatic approach after Potter's more progressive style. Santo's appointment comes as the Hammers prepare for a demanding opening sequence: an away game at Goodison Park followed by a visit from Arsenal at the Emirates.

Staff from Potter's coaching squad, including Bruno Saltor and other assistants, also left with immediate effect, the club said, as it thanked the former manager and his team for their work. Potter later posted a message to fans through his social channels, thanking supporters for their loyalty and wishing the club well for the future.