Former Southampton target joins Premier League rivals as manager | OneFootball

Premier League club West Ham United have officially announced former Southampton target Graham Potter as their new manager.

According to CaughtOffside, Southampton were interested in hiring Graham Potter as their new manager in October before parting ways with Russell Martin. However, the club ultimately decided to move in a different direction later, appointing Ivan Juric as Martin’s replacement.

When Russell Martin was relieved of his duties in December, emerging manager Danny Rohl was also heavily linked with the Saints job. Many Southampton fans speculated that either Rohl or the experienced Graham Potter, who was available at the time, could have been the ideal candidates to bring stability and a long-term vision to St. Mary’s.

Instead, Southampton opted to bring in Croatian manager Ivan Juric. The decision was seen as a bold move, with Juric known for his high-intensity playing style and tactical versatility during his three-year stint with Torino in Serie A.

Still despite early optimism, Southampton’s on-field results are yet to improve.

Former Southampton target joins PL rivals as manager

In a new twist to this managerial saga, Graham Potter has now joined West Ham as their head coach. The announcement comes amid Southampton’s surprising decision to bypass Potter and even Danny Rohl in favor of Juric.

Potter’s proven track record in the Premier League, including his transformative work at Brighton, makes him an appealing choice for West Ham as they aim for a fresh start after a disappointing first half of the season.

As for Southampton, Juric has faced a challenging start, losing all three matches since taking charge. These results have left fans and pundits alike questioning whether the club have made the right call.

Could Graham Potter have been the steadier hand Southampton needed to steer their way back to success?

Only time will tell if Ivan Juric can turn things around and justify Southampton’s faith in his leadership. Until then, comparisons between Juric and Potter will undoubtedly linger, especially if the latter thrives at West Ham while Southampton continues to struggle.