West Ham have officially confirmed Michail Antonio is no longer a Hammers player, but it might not be the end of his time at the club according to Graham Potter.
After months of speculation, Hammers boss Graham Potter confirmed Michail Antonio would not be playing for him when the Premier League new season rolls around.
Antonio was offered a pay-as-you-play deal similar to the one his close friend Callum Wilson signed with West Ham at the weekend.
That controversial deal came on the same day Potter, for the first time in an official capacity, revealed Antonio’s decade as a West Ham player was at an end.
Speaking to the press while in the USA, Potter simply answered ‘No’ when asked whether Antonio was part of his plans for the forthcoming campaign following the signing of Wilson.
Hammers finally make Antonio exit official
Now, 10 years after joining the east Londoners in a bargain £7.5m deal from Nottingham Forest, the club has made their formal announcement.
And Potter has revealed he already has a plan for Antonio as West Ham finally make his exit official.
In a lengthy statement, West Ham confirmed that, following the expiry of his contract at the end of last season, Antonio will not be signing a new deal as a first-team player with the club.
MORE WEST HAM STORIES
The statement comes with Potter having already revealed what capacity Antonio may return to West Ham in.
Michail Antonio celebrates West Ham United v Aston Villa - Premier League
Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images
“The 35-year-old striker, who joined the Hammers in September 2015 from Nottingham Forest, made 323 appearances over a ten-year period, scoring 83 goals, and becoming the Club’s leading Premier League goalscorer in the process,” West Ham said in a statement.
“He also played a key role in ending West Ham United’s 43-year wait for a major trophy, with victory in the 2023 UEFA Europa Conference League final in Prague.
“He was named Hammer of the Year runner-up at the end of his debut season with the Club – when he scored in the Farewell Boleyn victory against Manchester United in May 2016 – and then went one better a year later, becoming Hammer of the Year in our first season at London Stadium.
Potter says he already has a plan for Antonio at West Ham
“The remarkable courage and determination he showed to overcome injuries sustained in a December 2024 road traffic accident saw him return to competitive action on the international stage in June, appearing as a substitute for Jamaica in a CONCACAF Gold Cup tie against Guatemala. More recently he gained further playing time on the pitch in a Hammers shirt when he played 45 minutes and scored twice for our Under-21 development team in a friendly against Boreham Wood.
“Michail will always be a much-loved and respected member of the West Ham United family. As has been the case since December, the Club will continue to support and assist him in his ongoing rehabilitation, offering him access to training, facilities and medical care if needed. Dialogue continues over his future involvement with the Club in an alternative capacity – including one that would enable others to benefit from his experience and leadership qualities – and he will forever hold a special place in our 130-year history.
“Everyone at West Ham United would like to sincerely thank Michail for his outstanding, dedicated service in a Claret and Blue shirt over the last 10 years. Further recognition of his magnificent contribution will appear across Club channels in the coming days and weeks.”
Graham Potter on the pitch with his West Ham players after the pre-season friendly win over Bournemouth in the USA
Photo by Kevin C. Cox – Premier League/Getty Images for Premier League
Potter says Antonio can be West Ham Under 21s coach
Speaking ahead of West Ham’s final pre-season clash against Lille, head coach Potter told BBC Sport that it was up to him where the next stage of Antonio’s career goes.
And he has suggested he will offer him a role as a West Ham Under 21s coach and mentor.
“It’s up to me to see where the next part of his career goes,” Potter said.
“Yes, he can still play of course. No, he’s not going to play for West Ham, that’s basically the point.
“We’re in the process of speaking about what he wants to do in the future, so I wouldn’t want to say too much.
“If anything, it will be a role, maybe looking at with the 21s, coaching, mentoring, that type of thing. But again, that will be up to him.”
As reported by Hammers News earlier this week, West Ham are planning to have Antonio back at the London Stadium at an appropriate time so the fans can say a proper farewell.
It will be a case of tissues at the ready as a leaving message – by open letter or video – will also be published on club channels in the near future following the official announcement.
After being controversially replaced by his ageing, injury-prone friend and former podcast partner, Antonio’s thoughts on West Ham signing Wilson were revealed by the man himself.