EPL strugglers West Ham hire Nuno Espirito Santo to replace sacked Graham Potter

LONDON – West Ham United have appointed former Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo as head coach on a three-year contract, replacing Graham Potter, who was sacked on Sept 27 following a dismal start to the English Premier League season.

Nuno had coached Forest for the last two years but was dismissed earlier in September after admitting his relationship with the club’s owner Evangelos Marinakis had broken down.

“I am very pleased to be here and very proud to be representing West Ham United,” Nuno said.

“My objective is to work hard to get the very best from the team and ensure that we are as competitive as we possibly can be. The work has already started and I am looking forward to the challenge that is ahead.”

The Portuguese is expected to be in the dugout for the away Premier League clash with Everton on Sept 29.

Nuno, 51, earned praise for lifting Forest into European competition for the first time in 30 years last season via a seventh-place finish in the Premier League.

He also impressed at Wolverhampton Wanderers, helping establish them in the top flight before leaving for a turbulent 17-match spell at Tottenham Hotspur that ended in the sack in November 2021.

Potter, meanwhile, managed just three points from West Ham’s five league matches this season, while they also crashed out of the League Cup to Wolves in the second round.

The former Chelsea and Brighton & Hove Albion manager took the reins at the London Stadium only in January, with last season’s disappointing 14th-place finish putting pressure on him to hit the ground running this season.

Last weekend’s home defeat against Crystal Palace proved the final straw. Potter, who lost five of West Ham’s six games this season, was relieved of his duties less than 24 hours after holding his usual pre-match press conference on Sept 26.

“Results and performances over the course of the second half of last season and the start of the 2025-26 season have not matched expectations,” West Ham said in a statement.

“The board of directors believe that a change is necessary in order to help improve the team’s position in the Premier League as soon as possible.”

In a statement released soon after his dismissal, Potter, 50, hinted he felt he deserved more time.

“I am incredibly disappointed to be leaving West Ham United Football Club, particularly without being able to achieve what we set out to achieve at the start of our journey in east London,” he said.

“I do however fully acknowledge that the results have just not been good enough up to now.

“Thank you to the board for offering me the opportunity to manage the team during the past eight months. It was an honour and a privilege to manage such a historic club.”

Potter won only six of his 25 West Ham matches after replacing Julen Lopetegui, who lasted just 22 matches after taking over from David Moyes, who is now in charge of Everton. AFP, REUTERS