Graham Potter begs Brighton fans to ‘understand’ Chelsea move in open letter – but supporters are left split

GRAHAM POTTER begged Brighton fans to “understand” his move to Chelsea.

But supports remain split over the manager’s sudden exit.

PA

Potter, 47, left the Amex after three successful years to replace Thomas Tuchel at Stamford Bridge.

The impressive man manager and tactician signed a five-year deal worth £10million per season – making him the fourth best-paid boss in the league – to take over and lead the new Todd Boehly era in West London.

And Potter penned an open letter – written on Thursday then released on Sunday morning – to the Seagulls fans to explain his decision and say his thank yous and goodbye.

The former Brighton boss said: “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.

“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.

“I hope that you will understand that at this stage of my career, I felt I had to grasp a new opportunity.

“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 Bloom, Paul Barber and David Weir 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.

“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.”

After successful negotiations with the new Chelsea owners on Wednesday evening, Potter and his staff headed to the Brighton training ground on Thursday to say their goodbyes.

Later that day, he was filmed arriving at Cobham and shortly after confirmed as the new Chelsea boss.

Potter took Billy Reid, Bjorn Hamberg, Kyle Macauley, Ben Roberts and Bruno Saltor Grau with him as his backroom staff to the Blues having worked with them on the south coast.

‘CAN’T FORGIVE HIM’

Adam Lallana is the shock interim player-manager at Brighton as the club’s chiefs look for a permanent appointment.

Nottingham Forest boss Steve Cooper, Russell Martin at Swansea, Luton’s Nathan Jones and Bodo/Glimt chief Kjetl Knutsen are understood to make up the four-man shortlist.

But fans remain split over how they feel about Potter leaving for the notorious managerial carousel at Chelsea – with some particularly angry he raided the club’s coaching staff including Seagulls legend Bruno.

One said: “He left when we were building something special I just can’t forgive him for that.”

Another replied: “If he cares that much he wouldn’t of left us right in the s*** six games into the season with zero coaching staff.”

But a third added: “I like that. Fair play. As much as it’s still hard to take, it’s an opportunity for him. I hope he does well, but not against us. We move on now.”

And a final user commented: “Gutted he’s gone but not surprised, you can’t keep knocking back top teams before they stop asking.

“Appreciate the letter, a good man and I hope Chelsea treat him right. Bruno and Ben going has really made it hard for people to accept, they’re ours if you like, not his to take.”

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Graham Potter’s open letter in full

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.

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. 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.

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.

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.

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.

Graham