Graham Potter explains Chelsea new move to Brighton supporters

Graham Potter, the new Chelsea manager, has written an open letter to Brighton supporters outlining his reasons for leaving the south coast club for west London.

Chelsea announced the appointment of Potter as their new head coach on a five-year contract on Thursday after the Blues decided to sack Thomas Tuchel.

Potter took charge of Brighton in 2019 having left Swansea – and led the Seagulls to a ninth-place finish last term – marking the best-ever top-flight finish in the club’s history, while this season they sit fourth after their first six games.

The Englishman started his managerial career in Sweden with Ostersunds, guiding them from the fourth tier to the top flight for the first time ever, and also led them into the Europa League after winning the domestic Svenska Cupen.

‘This has been three wonderful years with a club that has changed my life, and I want to take a moment to say goodbye to all of you who have made it such a special period of my career,’ Potter said in an open letter on Brighton’s website.

‘I bid farewell to a great club and one that will always mean so much to me and my family. For some I recognise that the change that comes so suddenly in football can be hard to accept.

‘I may not be able to persuade you all to forgive my departure – but I would at least like to take the chance to say thank you. All good clubs need great owners and great fans.

🌍 Graham Potter has enjoyed a remarkable rise…

Next stop, Chelsea! 🔷 pic.twitter.com/I0TKFtdK92

— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) September 8, 2022

‘Brighton & Hove Albion have both. I will cherish the relationships I built in all aspects of the club. My players went above and beyond. My staff gave everything. At the heart of it were the Albion fans.

‘On every matchday at the Amex, the connection with the team was strong. When we played away you came in your thousands to roar us on. I know what you have been through to see your club finally in a modern stadium and thriving in the Premier League.

‘I felt it every time I stood on the touchline. To those of you who stopped to chat when I was in the city or further afield – and the many who wrote to me – all those connections meant a great deal.

Chelsea Football Club is delighted to welcome Graham Potter as our new Head Coach! 🤝

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) September 8, 2022

‘Your personal stories of following the club – of parents and grandparents who were fans – helped me to understand what makes Albion special. I hope that you will understand that at this stage of my career, I felt I had to grasp a new opportunity.

‘I would like to thank Tony Bloom, Paul Barber and the directors for the opportunity they gave me three years ago and then the unswerving support that came with it. My gratitude also to Dan Ashworth and David Weir, two first-class technical directors.

‘To the staff at both the stadium and the training ground: all of you have impressed me with the pride you have taken in your work. You supported the club and you also supported me through some tough times in my personal life.

⏮ When Graham Potter's Östersunds defeated Arsene Wenger's Arsenal back in 2018…

A game that put the English manager on the map 💫 pic.twitter.com/pDHmULB4et

— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) September 8, 2022

‘Brighton & Hove Albion is a club full of good people who work together in the right way to accomplish things. We have shared some brilliant moments. The 3-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur in my first season stands out.

‘So too, the 2-1 win over Arsenal after lockdown. It was an amazing afternoon, especially given what many had gone through in the preceding months. My only wish was that our supporters had been there to enjoy that with us.

‘When the stadiums were partially-opened we experienced an incredible atmosphere for the 3-2 win over Manchester City in the final home game of the 2020/21 season.

9.8 – Since the start of last season, only Liverpool (11.4) and Manchester City (9.9) have averaged more high turnovers per game than Graham Potter’s Brighton (9.8) in the Premier League. Progressive. pic.twitter.com/a8CkDz61VL

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) September 8, 2022

‘I know many of you enjoyed the 4-0 win over Manchester United last season. We finished that season with a 3-1 win over West Ham on the final day to seal a record points tally for the club and a highest-ever league position. These are great memories.

‘The Albion has given me that and more. I feel I am a better person and a better manager for the experiences I have had here. Not every team selection or decision has been perfect.

‘But the club has created an environment that gives you the scope to make mistakes, learn from them and then improve. I have always tried to act with integrity and be a good person. These are values I hold dear, and I know that the Albion do too.

‘What turned out to be my final match against Leicester City last Sunday was a good way to end. I did not know at the time that it would be the end, but looking back now we played so well.

‘There was so much positivity around the club. The last few days have been an unexpected whirlwind. Leaving the training ground for the last time  was a poignant moment. Not only for me, but also for Billy, Bjorn, Kyle, Bruno and Ben.

‘Albion fans know that with Tony, Paul and David the club is in safe hands. To my successor, whoever that may be, I would say, congratulations. You’ll be working for a great club with a fantastic squad, supported by a great chairman and board.

‘The squad are playing at a high level and will get better. Most of all, the supporters will get behind the team home and away. To everyone at Brighton & Hove Albion: thank you. It has been a pleasure and honour to serve the club over the last three years. I wish you every success going forward.’

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