West Ham: Graham Potter reunites with ex-Chelsea duo as more new arrivals confirmed

Evening Standard

·9 January 2025

West Ham: Graham Potter reunites with ex-Chelsea duo as more new arrivals confirmed

Some familiar faces join new Hammers boss at the London Stadium

Graham Potter’s coaching staff at West Ham has been confirmed.

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The Englishman was appointed as the Hammers’ new manager on a two-and-a-half year contract on Thursday morning, following the sacking on Wednesday of previous boss Julen Lopetegui after only six months in charge.

Potter has a challenge on his hands to make a success of a season in which West Ham currently sit 14th, with just six wins in 20 games and the fourth-worst defence in the Premier League.

The club confirmed that among Potter’s backroom staff will be Bruno Saltor, as his assistant coach. The Spaniard was Potter’s assistant at Chelsea and even spent one match — a 0-0 draw with Liverpool — as the Blues’ caretaker manager after Potter was sacked in April 2023.

Familiar faces: Bruno Saltor and Billy Reid worked with Graham Potter at both Chelsea and Brighton, now link up with him again at West Ham

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Also joining Potter will be Billy Reid, in the role of first-team coach. Reid was previously assistant to Potter during his spells as manager of Brighton and Chelsea.

Narcís Pèlach will also assist Potter as a first-team coach. Just two days ago, he was sacked as manager of Championship outfit Stoke after three months, following only three wins from 19 games in charge as he was replaced by former Coventry boss Mark Robins.

Goalkeeping coach Xavi Valero will continue in his role at West Ham, as the only member of Lopetegui’s backroom staff not to depart the club.

It was confirmed on Wednesday afternoon that Lopetegui’s assistant head coach Pablo Sanz, head of performance Oscar Caro, analyst Juan Vicente Peinado, fitness coach Borja De Alba and technical coach Edu Rubio had all stepped down from their roles with immediate effect.