Graham Potter has shown pure class in his response to being sacked by West Ham chief David Sullivan while he was on holiday in Spain.
West Ham may have plumbed new depths with their conduct over the hiring and firing of managers.
In many ways it is hard to feel too much for Graham Potter over the manner of his West Ham dismissal.
When Julen Lopetegui was struggling at the Hammers helm last season, Potter met with Tim Steidten about taking the job.
A picture of that meeting was leaked on social media as links to Potter intensified before Lopetegui was eventually sacked in January.
Speculation has been rife for two weeks that Nuno Espirito Santo would be replacing Potter.
Back on September 19th, Hammers News exclusively revealed Nuno had held talks with Karren Brady about replacing Potter following his sacking by Forest, ironically following defeat to West Ham, Potter’s only win of the season.
Shocking revelations emerge about how West Ham sacked Potter
Given he had been on the other side of this particular scenario, Potter would have known the writing was on the wall when Nuno was also spotted near David Sullivan’s Essex mansion after those West Ham talks.
Not long before he was sacked by West Ham, Lopetegui flew back to Spain after the death of his father.
Lopetegui then selflessly flew back from Spain so that he could take charge of the team when everyone would have understood had he missed the match.
There is a distasteful irony to what has transpired at West Ham now.
The Hammers have sacked Potter 48 hours out from the game against Everton.
Potter took training on Friday and did his pre-match press conference as normal.
The Hammers boss was also planning Saturday’s training session last night – until everything changed.
Hammers News has revealed the two reasons West Ham suddenly sacked Potter on Saturday.
But Potter has shown pure class with his response to being sacked by West Ham from Spain.
West Ham fans who are active on social media will be well aware that majority owner David Sullivan is on holiday in Spain right now.
Supporters will know that because his reality TV fiancée Ampika Pickston has been posting about it while engaging in an unsavoury war of words with West Ham fans.
Potter shows pure class with response to being sacked from Spain
Few would disagree with the decision to sack Potter.
West Ham fans fully turned on him during the defeat to Palace and called for his head in the wake of yet another loss.
But there are ways and means of doing things and treating people.
And West Ham’s owners don’t do themselves many favours after a new revelation from talkSPORT.
It is claimed Sullivan suddenly decided to sack Potter during his Spanish getaway on Friday night.
Potter was told the news and was then left to inform his ‘shocked’ players on Saturday morning, according to talkSPORT.
Thankfully Potter has brought some much-needed class and dignity to proceedings, though.
The 50-year-old has released an emotional, honest and classy statement on his West Ham sacking.
Speaking via the League Manager’s Association, Potter admitted results under him have not been good enough.
Potter says he is gutted to lose his job.
But he somehow found it in him to thank the board for giving him the chance to manage West Ham.
His classy message also contained a thank you to fans, despite the fact he ended his tenure as a meme of ridicule.
“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,” Potter said.
Potter: West Ham fans so supportive during difficult journey
“I do however fully acknowledge that the results have just not been good enough up to now.
“Firstly 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, which holds such strong values for footballing traditions and passion for the game.
“I’d like to thank all the staff at the club who made me feel so welcome, the playing squad and their continued efforts during my time – and lastly the fans, who have been so supportive during what has been a difficult journey at times.
“I wish the club nothing but the best of luck for the future.”
Pure class from Potter.
He has always been a project manager but to buy time to build a project you must get enough results to keep the wheels rolling.
Potter has, by his own acknowledgement, failed to do that.
That is not all on his shoulders as West Ham’s malaise pre-dates Potter.
Now it is over to Nuno Espirito Santo to see if he can do any better.
For Potter, perhaps an ambitious Championship club should be his next port of call, where he can build a team up from scratch.
