West Ham chief Karren Brady has set a clear target for Graham Potter ahead of the new 2025/26 Premier League season – and it will shock fans.
‘Champions of Europe, we know what we are’ has rung out at almost every West Ham game since that unforgettable night in Prague.
That was just two years ago but is starting to feel like an age away for disgruntled Hammers fans.
After lifting the Europa Conference League – the club’s first major trophy for 43 years – back in June 2023, West Ham looked set to continue their rise to prominence under David Moyes.
The Irons started the following season strongly, establishing themselves in the Premier League top six again at the midway stage of the season.
West Ham fans desperate for more European adventures
Wins at Spurs and Arsenal either side of a home victory over Man United during the festive period had the Hammers one win off the top four heading into 2024.
A new contract was prepared for Moyes and all seemed rosy in the West Ham garden.
The Scot wasn’t happy with the terms of the deal, though. He did not want to lose his power of veto on transfers and cede final say on recruitment to Tim Steidten.
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And Moyes was also upset that his son, David junior, was going to be replaced in the West Ham scouting setup.
The rest, as they say, is history.
Graham Potter - Ipswich Town FC v West Ham United FC - Premier League
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West Ham have won just 15 of the 57 Premier League games they have played since that 2-0 win at the Emirates.
The club’s regression has been nothing short of abysmal.
Especially after spending £155m last summer trying to get back into Europe after dropping out for the first time in four years.
Julen Lopetegui was hired with qualifying for Europe the clear objective.
The Spaniard even had a clause in his two-year contract that should West Ham qualify for any UEFA competition, it would automatically trigger another year extension.
Brady sets Potter shocking target for new Premier League season
It was soon clear that was never going to be on the cards as Lopetegui became the shortest-serving permanent manager in West Ham’s 130-year history.
Graham Potter somehow fared worse since taking over a Hammers side sitting in 13th place in January.
Potter won just five of his 19 games to drop down a place to 14th.
The Englishman has talked a lot about how West Ham’s ambition lured him back into football after 20 months out of the game following his sacking by Chelsea.
Now West Ham chief Karren Brady has set Potter his target for next season and it will shock fans.
West Ham United v Chelsea FC - Premier League
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Brady is said to be ‘more powerful than ever’ at West Ham after she led the appointment of Potter – who is a close friend of her husband.
Last season was bad enough watching other teams enjoying their European adventures.
Next season promises to be even worse with nearly half the Premier League competing on the continent.
Spurs, Chelsea and Arsenal are all in the Champions League along with Newcastle, Man City and Liverpool.
Aston Villa and Crystal Palace – if pardoned by UEFA – will be playing in the Europa League.
And Nottingham Forest will be looking to emulate West Ham in the Conference League.
The likes of Bournemouth, Brighton and Fulham all mounted challenges for the European spots too.
West Ham board’s true goal is made perfectly clear for all to see
So surely the 17th highest-earning club in Europe with the third wealthiest ownership in the Premier League and the team sitting among the top 10 for attendances in world football aim to be back competing for a return to UEFA competition?
Think again.
Because Brady appears to have made next season’s expectations perfectly clear and it shows a worrying lack of ambition from the club’s top brass.
Paul Merson believes West Ham could be relegated next season.
talkSPORT shock jock Rory Jennings also thinks the Hammers are going down.
Legend Tony Cottee says Potter will be in trouble if the Irons don’t start well.
Now in a statement to fans, Brady has made it clear simply staying in the Premier League is seen as the biggest achievement by the board.
Responding to questions from fans, Brady inadvertently made it clear that West Ham’s number one objective is extending their second longest stay in the top flight to a 15th consecutive season.
Although she planted the seed for ‘more progress’ it was kept very vague saying the goals are to show ‘pride, passion and purpose’.
“We know there’s more to do (to improve all aspects of the club),” Brady said on West Ham’s website.
“Football never stands still. Neither will we.
“The upcoming 2025/26 season marks our 14th consecutive year in the Premier League, the Club’s second-longest top-flight run in its 130-year history. That continuity is no small feat, and we’re committed to using it as a foundation for even greater progress.
“Football is about belief. Every summer brings with it a sense of renewal, of what could be. We share that optimism with you, and we’ll be doing everything in our power to ensure next season is one of pride, passion, and purpose.”
If that doesn’t make it clear that avoiding relegation is all that really matters to West Ham’s owners then nothing will.
That lack of ambition will further infuriate an already agitated Hammers fanbase – many of whom are petitioning for new owners as it is.
Did West Ham really leave their beloved Upton Park for an athletics stadium just to avoid relegation?