West Ham only unveiled Graham Potter on Wednesday night but he’s already experienced the highs and lows of the Hammers in a whirlwind 48 hours.
Graham Potter was actually officially unveiled on Thursday morning after penning his West Ham contract following the sacking of Julen Lopetegui.
Those negotiations were going on in the background for some time.
But in an official capacity the reality is since Monday, when West Ham majority owner David Sullivan made the decision to sack Lopetegui.
The reason those talks dragged on for what became an uncomfortable three days, was the length of Potter’s deal.
Championed by vice-chair Karren Brady since West Ham’s defeat at Leicester on December 3rd, Potter agreed to an initial six-month deal just before the Hammers played Wolves.
The game was billed a must-win for Lopetegui.
Somehow, thanks to Wolves’ woeful finishing and the help of three poor VAR decisions, West Ham got a win which continued the Spaniard’s farcical reign.
One month later he and West Ham fans were put out of their misery, though.
Potter’s West Ham contract length becomes a big deal
The problem is, Potter suddenly wasn’t so happy to accept that six-month probation.
West Ham had painted themselves into a corner, though.
As a result Potter held all the cards.
He wanted the added security and breathing space of a two-and-a-half year contract.
Understandably so – after all what can he realistically achieve in six months with an inherited squad?
There has been claim and counter claim about whether Potter’s Hammers deal contains certain clauses.
Some sources have claimed it is simply a straight contract.
Now West Ham have dropped a stunning Potter statement just 48 hours into his reign.
West Ham fans were impressed by Potter’s willingness to take charge of their FA Cup third round game at Aston Villa.
Tough opponents, away from home with West Ham’s season effectively on the line.
Some managers would – and indeed have – swerved games so close to their arrival at a club, sitting in the stands on a watching brief.
West Ham drop stunning Potter statement 48 hours into reign
Lose and it’s not on them. Win and the players were playing to impress the new manager.
After just one full training session with his players, Hammers fans were hugely impressed by what they saw from their team at Villa Park.
Especially during a first half so refreshing fans suddenly felt like they had their West Ham back.
Well if West Ham fans like what they’ve seen after just two days in the job then word out of the club bodes very well indeed.
Because a top source inside West Ham has revealed a simply astonishing revelation.
And it shows the huge belief the hierarchy have in Potter.Amid all the talk about six-month and 2.5-year contracts with clauses, Potter remained tight-lipped.
When questioned about the details of his deal, Potter said: “I’m not going to comment on private conversations and all that process, the thing I would say is, after speaking with the board, after speaking with the chairman, vice-chairman, members of the board, it felt like there was a real belief in me, a trust in me.
“It was reflected in the contract, which is where we are today. And now I’m really just trying to earn that trust, repay that trust, that faith and to do a good job here.”
Hammers ‘want and expect’ 5-10-year Potter dynasty
Well it seems the club certainly do have faith in their new man.
Because a leading club source, believed to be Sullivan or Brady given they are both contacts of Sean Whetstone, says West Ham ‘want and expect’ a Potter dynasty of five to 10 years.
“The details of the contract are confidential,” the top club source said.
“We hope and expect him to be with us five to 10 years’ time.”
Wow. It seems Potter really has cast his spell on the Hammers board already.
He’s impressed fans too.
If that’s what Potter can do in a day or two, imagine what’s possible over that kind of timeframe.
Initial signs are good but it’s important to focus on the here and now for the timebeing.
Fans will be keen to see if Potter can work his magic on the club’s dismal Premier League campaign.
