Roy Keane explains why he’s not convinced by West Ham’s appointment of Graham Potter to replace Julen Lopetegui

Roy Keane has issued a stark warning to newly-appointed West Ham boss Graham Potter as he scathed the Hammers hierarchy for ‘treating their managers really badly’.

Potter agreed a two-and-a-half year deal to become Julen Lopetegui’s replacement at the London Stadium on Thursday and is tasked with transforming the club’s immediate form.

The former Brighton and Chelsea boss takes over from Lopetegui, who was sacked by the Hammers on Wednesday after overseeing an underwhelming 20 Premier League games in charge.

The Spaniard, who will be paid just over £3million in compensation by the Hammers due to a clause in his contract, was relieved of his duties following a poor run of form which culminated in a 4-1 defeat by Manchester City last Saturday.

The disappointing loss at the Etihad followed West Ham’s 5-0 drubbing at the hands of league leaders Liverpool six days earlier, with both results leaving the Hammers in 14th position in the Premier League table.

Potter had been locked in talks with Irons owner David Sullivan ahead of Lopetegui’s official dismissal before later being confirmed as the club’s new head coach. However, Keane isn’t convinced it is the best move for the Englishman’s managerial career.

Potter agreed a two-and-a-half year deal to become Julen Lopetegui’s replacement at the London Stadium

Keane (left) questioned Potter’s decision to join West Ham after Lopetegui’s (right) exit

A previous dismissal at Chelsea saw Potter axed in brutal fashion by Todd Boehly after less than a season in the Stamford Bridge dugout and Keane believes similar harsh staff changes could follow in his new surroundings. 

‘It seems an odd bunch at west ham in terms of players and what goes on at board level, we see the way they treat managers and what they’ve done with previous manager probably not given him enough time,’ Keane told ITV Sport.

‘You look at the way they treated David Moyes towards the end, offering him a contract then withdrawing it, so they treat their managers really badly I think at West Ham. 

‘It’s a big job, the players look like an odd group like a difficult bunch to manage, a lot of ability in the attacking areas, defensively all over the place. 

‘Is it a good fit? I’m not so sure. Time will tell of course, obviously give the man a chance,’ added Keane.

Potter, who harboured plenty of praise during a fruitful spell at Brighton, endured a difficult previous six months in charge of Chelsea, losing 11 of his 31 games at Stamford Bridge.

Despite having not returned to management since being sacked by Chelsea in April 2023, Potter was West Ham’s No 1 target to replace Lopetegui, with Christophe Galtier, Paulo Fonseca, Edin Terzic and Michael Carrick among names on the shortlist.

Keane also slammed West Ham’s struggling first-team players as ‘an odd bunch’

The Englishman – who had been tipped amongst candidates for the England job following Gareth Southgate’s departure – appeared to contrast Keane’s harsh criticism upon being unveiled at the Hammers.

‘My conversations with the Chairman and the Board have been very positive and constructive, we share the same values of hard work and high energy to create the solid foundations that can produce success, and we are on the same wavelength in terms of what is needed in the short-term and then how we want to move the Club forward in the medium to long term,’ Potter said upon joining.

‘West Ham United is a huge Club, at the heart of London, with a tremendous fanbase and great support all around the world. 

‘I saw the scenes that followed their Europa Conference League victory in 2023 and it was clear that this is a Club with everything in place to become consistently successful, both on and off the pitch.