Nuno Espirito Santo made new West Ham head coach after Graham Potter sacking

West Ham have appointed Nuno Espirito Santo as their new head coach hours after announcing the sacking of Graham Potter.

Nuno returns to the Premier League just 18 days after being axed by Nottingham Forest and has signed a three-year deal at the London Stadium.

"I am very pleased to be here and very proud to be representing West Ham United," the former Tottenham, Wolves and Forest manager 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."

He replaces Potter, who was only appointed in January when he took over from Julen Lopetegui on a two-and-a-half-year contract.

In a statement, the club said the decision to sack Potter came because results early this season had "not matched expectations" and that "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".

Nuno's first match will come against Everton away on Monday night, who are led by former Hammers manager David Moyes.

West Ham's tough start to the 2025/26 campaign has seen them pick up just three points in their opening five games, with their four losses and sole win against Nottingham Forest leaving the side 19th in the league, above only winless Wolves.

Potter was sacked after winning just six of 23 Premier League games, with his side finishing 14th last season.

His assistant coach Bruno Saltor, first team coaches Billy Reid and Narcis Pelach, and goalkeeper coaches Casper Ankergren and Linus Kandolin also left the club.

The club thanked Potter and his outgoing staff in its statement, adding the board "wish them every success for the future".

In an exclusive interview with Sky Sports the day before his sacking, Potter said: "We have to stay strong and we have to keep moving forward and keep working on how we can get out of the situation we're in."

On the pressure he was facing, he said: "You've got to be grateful for the challenge. You've got to be grateful for the fact that it does push you to the limit. If I wanted to stay comfortable, then I wouldn't have re-entered into this world. This is the Premier League we're talking about."

He also said he felt he was on "the same page" with the club's hierarchy when it came to recent poor performances - particularly the most recent 2-1 loss at home to Crystal Palace.

Potter got the West Ham job off the back of a similarly brief spell at London rivals Chelsea, which saw him in charge for just 31 games between September 2022 and April 2023.

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(c) Sky News 2025: Nuno Espirito Santo made new West Ham head coach after Graham Potter sacking