West Ham have appointed Graham Potter as their manager after ending days of uncertainty by firing Julen Lopetegui. The shake-up could also lead to the departure of the technical director, Tim Steidten.
It is understood Steidten, who joined in 2023, played a minor part in the negotiations that led to Potter agreeing to replace Lopetegui on a two-and-a-half-year deal. Talks were led by West Ham’s vice-chair, Karren Brady. Sources have indicated West Ham are increasingly unhappy with Steidten over his transfer record, and believe the German could be sidelined if he stays.
The atmosphere has been tense at the London Stadium this week. Steidten has stayed away from the training ground after a breakdown in his relationship with Lopetegui, who had been under constant pressure since replacing David Moyes last summer.
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Potter is due to be unveiled as the new West Ham No 1 at a press conference on Thursday morning.
There is deep unhappiness within Lopetegui’s camp about how he was treated. It emerged on Monday that West Ham were planning to sack the 58-year-old Spaniard, but the process dragged on while the club worked on landing Potter. Club insiders did not feel it was helpful when a historical photo of Steidten meeting Potter emerged on social media.
The delay was caused by West Ham looking to hand Potter a six-month deal, with the former Chelsea and Brighton manager eventually succeeding in his demand for a lengthier agreement. Lopetegui continued to turn up for work before Friday’s trip to Aston Villa in the third round of the FA Cup.
The writing was on the wall when Lopetegui, who picked up seven wins in his 22 games, cancelled a team meal on Tuesday night. West Ham, who are 14th in the Premier League, seven points above the bottom three, then cancelled Lopetegui’s Wednesday press conference.
Potter had been accompanied by Steidten when he met David Sullivan, the majority shareholder, for the first time on Monday afternoon. The interview went well and ended with Potter, who has been out of work since the end of his seven-month stint at Chelsea in April 2023, being asked to take over.
The 49-year-old is expected to take training on Thursday and wants to be in the dugout when West Ham face Villa. Potter’s backroom staff will include Bruno Saltor
Potter’s backroom staff will include Bruno Saltor, who he worked with at Chelsea and Brighton, Narcís Pèlach, who was recently sacked as Stoke manager, along with his former No 2, Billy Reid. Potter will keep faith with Xavi Valero, West Ham’s goalkeeping coach. He will also try to take his former recruitment analyst Kyle Macaulay from Chelsea. Lopetegui’s backroom staff have left.
West Ham decided they had to act after heavy defeats by Liverpool and Manchester City. They had come close to letting Lopetegui go in November and December, only to give him more time. Senior figures were unimpressed with performances even when West Ham went on a four-game unbeaten run last month.
There has been a lack of identity under Lopetegui, whose team conceded 39 times in 20 league games, and discipline has been an issue. Lopetegui, who was on around £4.5m a year, has clashed with Jean-Clair Todibo and Mohammed Kudus. Potter will need to lift the mood in the dressing room and tighten a leaky defence.
Another challenge is that West Ham have selection issues in attack, with Michail Antonio sidelined after a horrific car crash and Jarrod Bowen out for two months with a broken foot.
Funds are limited given that West Ham spent more than £100m on signings last summer. A loan for the Brighton striker Evan Ferguson is possible. West Ham want a midfielder and have looked at Chelsea’s Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Carney Chukwuemeka.
