An ‘educated and innovative coach’ is how West Ham have introduced Graham Potter to their fans after his official unveiling.
That’s certainly the reputation Graham Potter had built for himself during spells in Sweden, at Swansea and then Brighton.
It was also a reputation that came tumbling down during the new West Ham manager’s ill-fated spell at Chelsea.
As far as West Ham go, Potter could be on to a winner.
Realistically the only way is up for the Hammers given how bad 2024 was under both David Moyes and Julen Lopetegui.
Not just in terms of results but performances and a lack of identity too.
Potter should, if his credentials are anything to go by, be able to improve West Ham’s style and league position in the second half of the season.
Given the rather unique journey that has brought Potter to the London Stadium, it’s difficult for supporters to know what to expect from the club’s 19th permanent manager in 130 years.
So will West Ham be getting the Potter who helped transform Brighton or the one who was quickly chewed up and spat out by Chelsea?
One of his former players and a prominent pundit have shared contrasting opinions.
West Ham have top mind in Potter says ex star Murray
West Ham have a top managerial mind in Graham Potter says one of his former players – and Hammers bogeyman – Glenn Murray.
But Simon Jordan thinks Potter is a ‘flake’.
Former Seagulls striker Murray, who played under Potter, thinks West Ham have the perfect man to get the best out of a talented group of individuals.
“Graham is a very thought-provoking manager,” Murray told BBC Sport.
“He knows exactly what he wants, but he wants feedback from the players.
“It’s a collective, rather than a dictatorship.
“When I played under him we would change formations two, three times in a single afternoon.
“Which is quite a skill to be able to have your players understand everything you want from them and to be able to change in-game.
“I think the talent that he could have at his disposal at West Ham is there for all to see. Your (Mohammed) Kudus’, your (Jarrod) Bowens. I think they’ve got a good number of players (who will benefit from Potter). (Edson) Alvarez in midfield.
“They’ve got a nice balance which unfortunately Lopetegui just hasn’t been able to put his finger on.”
Outspoken former Palace owner Jordan is not so sure.
Never shy in coming forward with his views, Jordan claims Potter’s reputation is greater than his deeds.
He also told takSPORT Potter is a ‘flake’.
Simon Jordan thinks new West Ham boss Potter is a ‘flake’
“I mean, what’s this fella all about? Really, who is he that he’s that great he can tell everyone they’ve got to wait?” Jordan.
“I mean, I think he’s a flake anyway. But the point is that, ultimately, West Ham probably don’t. He may well go and do a decent job for them because by the standards of West Ham, they might consider his job to be a decent one.
“I call him a flake because I think the manner in which he operated at Chelsea was flaky and weak.
“And I’m not alone in that thinking and now he has an opportunity to correct that thinking, like all managers, by doing something different.
“I think he did a great job at Brighton… but the framework of Brighton affords that luxury because you’ve seen it be carried on by other people like (Roberto) De Zerbi and the current manager.
“But one swallow doesn’t make a summer, so one bad set of circumstances doesn’t make him a bad manager does it?
“Lots of people will talk about the difficult environment he went into. But difficult environments are meant to be made better and less difficult by capable people. That’s why you bring them in – so I don’t give that to him as an excuse.
“He’s a capable coach… but he didn’t have the chops for it at Chelsea. He may well have the chops for it in the future, time will tell.
“I think his reputation is sometimes slightly bigger than his deeds. But he, I think, wants to play football in a more entertaining way than David Moyes did.”
The Coaches’ Voice is a go-to resource for deep dives on managers and their tactics.
In a long read, it picks out five key tactical approaches Potter takes at all his clubs:
- Penetrating passes to break lines
- Attacking midfielders drifting wide
- Aggressive pressure to move play wide
- Flexible use of 3-5-2 and 3-4-1-2
- Double pivot to cover behind attacking full-backs
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