Potter to make Premier League return amid ‘MIND-BLOWING’ West Ham situation

Robin Bairner

• 8 Jan 2025 08:00 GMT
• 4 min read

Former Chelsea manager Graham Potter is ready to make his return to the Premier League more than 18 months after being sacked by the Stamford Bridge club.

Potter has agreed terms to take over at West Ham United, despite Julen Lopetegui still being in place at the London Stadium, according to Sky Sports.

The Hammers have won a race with Everton to secure the services of the high-rated manager, who also has experience coaching Swansea in the Premier League.

There have been positive talks between Potter and West Ham, with optimism on both sides that a deal will be struck imminently. Some minor details are to be ironed out, yet Sky Sports believes that it is possible that he could be in charge by the time the Hammers face Aston Villa in the FA Cup on Friday.

Everton are not currently fighting the situation, with the Toffees having earmarked the ex-Chelsea boss as a potential replacement for Sean Dyche should the Goodison Park side have chosen to sell him.

Lopetegui situation ‘mind-blowing’

Current West Ham manager Julen Lopetegui appears furious with the situation behind the scenes at the club and this week cancelled a team bonding meal amid the rumours that he is about to be sacked.

But there is set to be more dramatic revelations to come at West Ham: Roshane Thomas, the Athletic’s correspondent for the clubs, has revealed that there is “mind-blowing stuff” to be revealed when Lopetegui is formally dismissed by the Premier League outfit.

He claims “the gloves are offer” while speaking to the You Irons podcast.

Guillem Balague, meanwhile, has taken to X to provide a different viewpoint of the situation.

“Lopetegui is working hard preparing the Villa game and will work hard till the last day, whenever that is. But he has not been sacked at this point,” the Spanish journalist says.

“The plan continues to be a transformation of the style of the team towards a more modern versatile one. There are green shoots that suggest things could improve if you want to see the bottle half full.

“But surprisingly inside the camp petrol has been thrown into the fire feeding doubts of fans instead of everyone being on the same boat and supporting the leadership.”

Potter accused of deliberately being sacked by Chelsea

Potter is set to arrive at West Ham hot on the heels of being accused of deliberately getting himself sacked from Chelsea.

His performance at Stamford Bridge was so bad that veteran beIN Sports presenter Richard Keys claims he was working to get himself fired.

Keys was speaking about Man Utd boss Ruben Amorim, who he claims is now doing exactly the same thing at Old Trafford.

“He’s actually trying to get the sack,” Keys claimed amid an argument in which he claimed that Amorim would change up his tactics if this was not the case.

The former Sky Sports anchor then turned his fire on the former Blues manager.

“Graham Potter did exactly that at Chelsea,” Keys claimed. “He was gone in no time.”

Now he will take over at West Ham, who are currently 14th in the Premier League table on 23 points, just seven clear of the drop zone.