West Ham ‘season over’: ‘Strange’ Graham Potter update
Graham Potter’s appointment at West Ham United has been questioned and branded as “strange”, by Paul Merson.
Potter was officially appointed as West Ham manager on 9 January to replace Julen Lopetegui as the club sit in 14th in the Premier League.
The fans have been frustrated with performances this season and called for the manager’s sacking after they were thrashed 4-1 by Man City.
However, former Premier League midfielder Paul Merson shared his take on the decision to appoint Potter in his place.
He said on Sky Sports: “I mean this man’s come in and within six months Lopetegui he’s out and I mean, how long do you want? You need a little bit more than that”
He added: “All of a sudden Graham Potter comes in. I like Graham, I just thought Chelsea was too big for him at the time when he went to Chelsea. But I thought he done a great job at Brighton.
“The problem is, is if they go and get beat by Aston Villa this weekend, that’s their season over. So, it’s a strange one for me”.
Graham Potter was the best available for West Ham
Football Insider opinion
Football Insider exclusively revealed back in December that Potter had emerged as the leading contender to replace Lopetegui.
Lopetegui had been under pressure for weeks, with poor performances leaving the club teetering near the relegation zone.
Despite signings like Crysencio Summerville, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, and Jean-Clair Todibo, the season hasn’t lived up to expectations.
Since leaving Chelsea in April 2023, Potter has taken his time before returning to management, making this appointment a significant move.
While fans were unhappy with how Lopetegui was treated by the club towards the end of his tenure, they should be optimistic about Potter’s arrival.
Known for his distinct style of play at Brighton, the Englishman has the potential to bring entertaining football back to East London, especially with creative talents like Mohamed Kudus and Lucas Paqueta in the squad.
However, the new manager will face an immediate challenge as focus shifts to a tough FA Cup clash against Aston Villa on 10 January, putting him in the spotlight straight away.
In other news, West Ham are plotting a move to sign a Chelsea midfielder.
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