Former West Ham forward Michail Antonio has launched a scathing attack on ex-Hammers manager Graham Potter, accusing him of failing to make any effort to get to know him before his departure from the club. Antonio, who became a cult hero during his decade-long stint at the London Stadium, left the club in the summer of 2025 after his contract was not renewed.
Antonio's Rehabilitation and Potter's Appointment
Potter took over at West Ham in January 2025 but was sacked in September as the team languished in the Premier League's bottom three. Antonio, meanwhile, was recovering from a life-threatening car crash in December 2024, which required surgery and months of rehabilitation. He returned to action with Jamaica in June 2025 but never played a minute under Potter.
Antonio told The Times: 'Graham never actually got to know me because I was doing rehab. I'd be at the club for a week, then away again and he never got to experience me as a person, never really got to see me on a full pitch, just me hobbling around on a field after an accident where my leg's not the best.'
Decision Based on Limited Exposure
The 36-year-old believes Potter's decision to release him was based on insufficient knowledge of his abilities. 'So he didn't actually experience the person Michail Antonio or the player Michail Antonio — and now he's making a decision on my life,' Antonio added.
Antonio had played a key role under previous managers, including Julen Lopetegui, who regularly used him before being replaced by Potter. Antonio stated: 'If Lopetegui was there, I know for a fact I'd have got another contract. Whereas Graham wasn't doing well, his record wasn't good, he's coming into a new season and making a decision about me and the owners are going with him because they want to give him support.'
No Farewell and Poor Contract Offer
Antonio expressed his hurt at not being given a chance to say goodbye to the fans during pre-season. 'What hurt me most was I was there during the whole pre-season but they didn't even want to give me a minute on the pitch to say goodbye to the fans. They offered me a terrible contract that was until January but said I'm not allowed to play a first-team game, I'm only allowed to play for the under-21s. Why on earth would I sign that?'
He also claimed Potter deflected responsibility: 'When I went to him, he'd be like, "It's not me, it's the chairman", but I'd go to the chairman and he'd say, "It's Graham Potter, he doesn't want you". I knew it was Graham.'
Antonio subsequently signed for Qatari side Al-Sailiya and now works as a pundit for BBC and TNT Sports.
