A quirk of fate meant that Graham Potter’s last game as manager was a 2-0 defeat to Aston Villa.
It cost him his job at Chelsea in April 2023 as the Blues acted less than 24 hours later to end his brief reign at Stamford Bridge.
Almost two years later, the 49-year-old returned to the dugout to suffer another defeat against Villa, this time in the FA Cup, in his first game as West Ham manager.
In his presentation on Thursday, he spoke about accepting both successes and setbacks, and his time at Chelsea is a perfect example.
Potter said the Hammers felt like “the one” after coming close to jobs at Ajax and Leicester.
He also said he was now well-rested but, after Friday’s game at a freezing Villa Park, there is bound to be a bit of frustration.
Lucas Paqueta’s goal, during the Hammers’ bright start, had the new manager celebrating on the bench just nine minutes later.
However, at the end of the game he was left chatting with assistant manager Bruno Satler on the touchline after Villa’s comeback had eliminated his new team.
“Emotions were excitement,” Potter said when asked how he felt before the game in his post-match press conference. “Friday night, Villa Park, full house, 6,500 West Ham fans who were incredible.
“I was very encouraged by our performance, the way the players tried to do what we asked of them. Now we are disappointed because we are eliminated and we wanted to go through.”
“We’re just trying to get the team in good shape. The talent is there, but it’s just about trying to bring the team together as a collective. That’s what we’re trying to do.”
After the final whistle, he walked over to greet the traveling fans who expect Potter to deliver the style and substance they demand.
Something that Julen Lopetegui could not do in his six months in charge and Potter becomes the club’s fifth manager in nine and a half years, counting David Moyes’ two spells.
