LONDON — West Ham United have sacked manager Graham Potter, the Premier League club said today, with the team languishing 19th in the table with three points from five matches.

“Results and performances over the course of the second half of last season and the start of the 2025/26 season have not matched expectations, and 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,” West Ham said in a statement.

The London club have made a dismal start to the campaign, suffering a 5-1 home defeat by Chelsea, a 3-0 home loss to Tottenham Hotspur and an opening 3-0 defeat by promoted Sunderland before losing 2-1 at home to Crystal Palace last Saturday.

West Ham have conceded 13 goals in the five games, the highest tally among Premier League teams.

Fans protest

Before the defeat by Palace, thousands of West Ham fans protested against the way the club is being run with much of their ire focused on Chairman David Sullivan and Vice Chairman Karren Brady.

Former Brighton & Hove Albion manager Potter was sacked by Chelsea in April 2023 and appointed by West Ham in January to replace Julen Lopetegui.