When Graham Potter took the reins at West Ham, chaos was the order of the day. Thrown straight into the deep end following Julen Lopetegui’s dismissal, he barely had time to unpack.
Living out of a hotel near the London Stadium, wearing little other than his West Ham tracksuit, Potter had to juggle an intense fixture list, training sessions, and the relentless demands of the January transfer window. Even a brief return home to Brighton after the defeat to Crystal Palace on January 18 was consumed by six-hour phone calls, leaving no time for a quiet evening with his family. It wasn’t an easy start, but Potter is no stranger to adversity.
Now, with a few weeks under his belt, the dust has started to settle—at least as much as it can at West Ham. Behind the scenes, transfer chief Tim Steidten’s impending departure and last-minute transfer business add to the club’s turbulence, but Potter has wasted no time getting “under the bonnet” of his new squad. His impact was felt immediately, with the team delivering an impressive performance against Aston Villa in a game they arguably should have won. More importantly, sources inside West Ham speak of a rejuvenated atmosphere at Rush Green, where Potter’s clear communication and structured approach have started to unify a club that, just weeks ago, seemed fractured.
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Unlike his predecessor, Potter has focused on simplifying things rather than overloading his players with complex instructions. Training sessions have been extended by 15 minutes to focus on pressing, set pieces, and opposition-specific tactics.
Players now regularly analyze video clips before taking those scenarios onto the training pitch, ensuring they’re better prepared for each opponent. His approach was evident from day one—despite having just a single session before facing Aston Villa in the FA Cup, his team already showed signs of executing a structured tactical plan. That level of clarity was missing under Lopetegui, and it’s no surprise that players are describing Potter’s methods as “refreshing” and “full of new ideas.”
Perhaps the biggest shift has been in Potter’s man-management style. Shortly after arriving, he gathered the squad for a frank discussion about what had been going wrong. His one-to-one conversations have been just as crucial, making players feel valued and giving them a clear understanding of their roles.
Meetings
Some members of the squad have already had multiple meetings with him, a stark contrast to the uncertainty they felt under previous regimes. Few have benefited more than Lucas Paquetá, who has rediscovered his form under Potter. Played in an advanced role rather than being shackled by defensive responsibilities, he has already returned two goals, thriving under a manager who has made it clear how integral he is to the team’s plans.
Potter has also made immediate moves to strengthen West Ham’s connection with its academy, an area that had been neglected in recent years. Young talents like Oliver Scarles and Kaelan Casey have been brought into the first-team dressing room, while Lewis Orford was handed his senior debut. This commitment to youth development is more than just words—Potter is ensuring that West Ham’s talented youngsters finally get the opportunities they deserve. At a club that once prided itself on producing top-class talent, this shift could have long-term benefits far beyond Potter’s tenure.
As he prepares for a return to Stamford Bridge, Potter insists he doesn’t need closure from his ill-fated Chelsea spell. But make no mistake—he’ll relish the opportunity to prove a point. After nearly two years away from the dugout, he has returned refreshed, with the same meticulous approach that made him a success at Brighton but never got the chance to flourish at Chelsea. With the transfer window closing and West Ham’s rebuild in full swing, Potter’s task is only just beginning. But if the early signs are anything to go by, the Hammers might just have found the perfect man to steer them into a brighter future.
