A month after Xavi Valero said his goodbyes to West Ham United, the Premier League outfit have a brand new goalkeeping expert as former IF Elfsborg coach Linus Kandolin arrives from Swedish football.
The highly-experienced Xavi Valero left West Ham with ‘great sadness’ at the end of the 2024/25 campaign.
The former Wrexham and Real Mallorca goalkeeper had spent seven years at the London Stadium, initially arriving alongside Manuel Pellegrini before working under David Moyes, Julen Lopetegui and laterally Graham Potter.
The void his departure created, meanwhile, has now been filled.
Just days after Valero took up a new role at Premier League champions Liverpool, West Ham United have confirmed that his place on Potter’s coaching staff will be taken by Linus Kandolin.
West Ham goalkeeping coach Xavi Valero - Crystal Palace FC v West Ham United FC - Premier League
Photo by Rob Newell – CameraSport via Getty Images
Linus Kandolin leaves Elfsborg to replace Xavi Valero at West Ham United
West Ham were initially expected to hire Casper Ankergren. The one-time Leeds glovesman is currently under contract with Danish giants Brondby.
The 34-year-old Kandolin has now been appointed instead, however.
West Ham have confirmed, via their official website, that Kandolin has reunited with Graham Potter, whom he worked with for three years during the coach’s formative spell with Ostersunds.
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Kandolin leaves Elfsborg after six seasons. He also worked as a goalkeeping coach for the Swedish national team’s Under-21 side.
“I feel a mixture of sadness, joy and pride. I will miss Elfsborg but, at the same time I am looking forward to testing my wings in a new environment and taking on the challenge that awaits over there,” Kandolin said during an emotional farewell to the 2023 Allsvenskan runners-up, reported on their website.
“My journey at Elfsborg has been fantastic in every way. I came here in 2019, at a time when the team was in a state of change and Jimmy [Thelin, now at Aberdeen] had just started the work of building something new.
“I feel proud to be part of that journey that has since borne fruit in recent seasons. It is with great joy and pride that I look back on the time I have had here.”
Former Sweden coach Kandolin admits Premier League switch is a ‘dream’
Kandolin’s influence is best reflected in the emergence of Hakon Rafn Valdimarsson as one of the most talented shot-stoppers in Scandinavia. Currently Iceland’s first-choice, Valdimarsson secured a £2.5 million move to West Ham’s London neighbours Brentford after blossoming at Elfsborg.
In England, Kandolin will share a training pitch alongside Alphonse Areola and Wes Foderingham when pre-season begins in the coming days.
A new first-choice goalkeeper is likely to arrive later in the summer, too. West Ham admire Leicester City’s Mads Hermansen – who worked under the aforementioned Ankergren at Brondby – while contact was made regarding Southampton’s Aaron Ramsdale a month ago.
Germany Under-21 sensation Noah Atubolu is a Hammers target too, though Djordje Petrovic seems set to swap Chelsea for Sunderland.
“I haven’t had much time to think about it,” Kandolin says regarding his imminent switch to the English capital. “The opportunity to test yourself in one of the best leagues in the world. It’s undoubtedly a dream.
“I will, of course, continue to follow Elfsborg and watch as many matches as I can. I want to wish them all the luck they have in finishing the rest of the season in the best possible way and fighting for the most valuable places.”
Kandolin is not the first long-standing Potter ally to reunite with the West Ham boss.
Kyle Macaulay, the club’s head of recruitment, also worked alongside Potter at Brighton, Swansea City and Chelsea.