Graham Potter makes Chelsea job admission as he looks for West Ham bounce back

Evening Standard

·9 gennaio 2025

Graham Potter makes Chelsea job admission as he looks for West Ham bounce back

New Hammers boss in Pep Guardiola claim as he insists he is a better manager for Stamford Bridge struggle

Graham Potter admits he arrives at West Ham with a point to prove, claiming: “If Pep Guardiola does, then we all do!”

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Potter has been unveiled as the Hammers’ new manager, replacing the sacked Julen Lopetegui on a two-and-a-half-year contract.

The 49-year-old’s appointment ends a long sabbatical that has seen him out of work since being fired by Chelsea in April 2023.

A troubled tenure at the Blues, where he did not survive his first full season, represented the first major setback in what had previously been a flourishing career, with Potter excelling at Swedish club Ostersunds, Swansea and Brighton.

The Englishman, therefore, has work to do to rebuild his reputation but says he is not shying away from that challenge - pointing to Guardiola’s recent comments amid Manchester City’s slump.

“When I listen to Pep Guardiola, he says he's got something to prove,” Potter said at his first press conference as West Ham boss. “If he's got something to prove, then we all have. It's the reality.

“In professional sport, you’ve always got something to prove every day. It strives you forward. I'm comfortable in my own skin, I'm comfortable with who I am and what I've done. Clearly no one's perfect.

“Life is about taking the successes, accepting the setbacks and accepting the defeats. Accepting the mistakes and dealing with it and making you stronger. That's part of who we are.

"I think I'm a better person now for the experience [at Chelsea], a better coach for the experience and well rested.”

Potter will take training for the first time on Thursday afternoon and faces a swift turnaround before Friday night’s FA Cup third round tie away at Aston Villa.

The Hammers are languishing in 14th in the Premier League, conceding goals at an alarming rate and missing key forwards Michail Antonio and Jarrod Bowen to long-term injuries.

However, after turning down numerous offers from Premier League and overseas clubs during his time out of management, Potter is certain he has chosen the right moment to jump back in.

“It wasn’t the best of sleeps last night but just from excitement,” he added. “I’m really looking forward to meeting the players today, really looking forward to meeting our supporters, getting going.

“It was important that I chose the right option for me at the right time and as soon as I spoke to this club it just felt right for me.

“I consider myself lucky to be here. I'm thankful to be here because I appreciate the club, I appreciate the opportunity. And I apologise that my name has been linked and everybody's flipping sick of Graham Potter linked with this and that job!”