When he was still a player, West Ham boss Graham Potter leaned into the whole Harry Potter gimmick which followed him around.
There is one particular TV segment Potter recorded at the request of a reporter which is as funny as it is cringeworthy.
It was all fun and games at the time for the man now Hammers boss as Harry Potter fever swept the globe.
West Ham hope for some of their own Potter magic
JK Rowling’s world famous stories about the boy wizard have made for easy headlines regarding West Ham’s manager throughout his career.
‘Potter’s magic’ being the most obvious that springs to mind.
It’s been a quidditch stick with which to beat Potter too, though.
The Hammers manager was called “Harry” and “Hogwarts” by Chelsea players behind his back prior to his sacking in west London – as revealed at the time by The Athletic.
While that may seem like some harmless – albeit childish – fun, the report stated it was a result of Potter’s ‘failure to command the same respect as his predecessor Thomas Tuchel’.
It was also stated Potter struggled to win players over and ‘they believed he lacked authority’ which led to him being called “Harry” and “Hogwarts” by Chelsea stars when out of the earshot of their manager.
That report also said there was a belief within the dressing room was that Potter was simply a “yes” man, taking on a squad of over 30 players which left some stars having to change in the corridors due to a lack of space in the main changing room.
TikToker spots something West Ham will love at Harry Potter World
After an experience like that, it is perhaps more understandable why Potter waited 20 months to make sure his next job was the right one for him.
West Ham are that club and Potter has repeatedly remarked how excited he is to be at such a big side.
Hammers fans enjoy telling the world that ‘West Ham are massive’.
Well now there’s yet more proof.
Because a TikToker has spotted something West Ham will love at the Harry Potter World exhibition
The Harry Potter phenomenon has been so huge, it even has its own tourist attraction – the Warner Bros. Making of Harry Potter Studio Tour in Leavesden, Herts.
While visiting the attraction, an eagle-eyed TikTok account The Football Addicts zooms in after spotting a West Ham scarf, pendant and bedspread in one of the exhibition’s bedroom setups.
They have overlaid the video with an unforgettable interview from a young West Ham fan before the memorable Europa Conference League semi-final triumph over AZ Alkmaar.
Who does JK Rowling support? West Ham’s Harry Potter links explained
Now Graham Potter really does have a genuine crossover with Harry Potter.
But why?
Well Hammers News can explain why West Ham are so massive they feature in Harry Potter – just like they have The Simpsons in the past too.
In the Harry Potter film series, Dean Thomas, a Gryffindor student and dorm mate of Harry’s, is the character who supports West Ham United.
The Hammers are the only football team referenced in the Potter films.
That’s despite creator and author Rowling being a self-confessed fan of bitter rivals Spurs.
So why did JK Rowling choose Tottenham’s London rivals West Ham to be in her world famous books and films?
Hammers News did some digging and Rowling has previously revealed the West Ham references were included in honour of her friend Troy, a West Ham fan.
Vice-chair Karren Brady and the club’s owners will be loving that kind of exposure as it is all great for the West Ham brand.
Now let’s hope the club’s very own Potter can work his magic over the summer and into next season.
