A former defender at golf equipment equivalent to Birmingham, Stoke and West Brom, Potter first gained recognition as a supervisor after guiding Swedish fourth-tier aspect Ostersunds FK to a few promotions in 5 seasons. His seven-year spell additionally included a primary main trophy with the Swedish Cup and a spot within the Europa League, the place they famously beat Arsenal 2-1 on the Emirates Stadium, however misplaced the last-32 tie 4-2 on mixture.
It was an unconventional route for an English supervisor, however one which led him to Swansea in 2018 and Brighton a 12 months later, earlier than he joined Chelsea in 2022.
Amid hyperlinks to Tottenham and Everton jobs up to now, Potter stated he won’t ever be considered a “attractive” coach, saying: “It’s laborious to be an attractive title if you end up known as Potter, particularly in case your first title is Graham. Then it turns into much more tough. Add into {that a} lengthy face and a ginger beard and all the remainder of it and I simply have to stay to being a soccer coach and work with the gamers.”
Sometimes called a compassionate and considerate coach, Potter cemented himself as one of many recreation’s most fun prospects at Brighton – the place he was charged with turning them from a persistently relegation-threatened aspect to a steady Premier League membership with a extra adventurous fashion of play.
Former Seagulls ahead Glenn Murray performed underneath him and stated Potter was a “thought-provoking supervisor” who “meticulously research each opponent”.
“He is aware of precisely what he desires, however he desires suggestions from the gamers. It is a collective moderately than a dictatorship,” added Murray.
“One factor that actually struck me about him, and he in all probability would not get sufficient credit score for, is that we have been a workforce that have been in survival mode within the Premier League.
“He managed to alter the tradition and alter the fashion of play. That is not a simple factor to do whereas remaining steady.”
Amid the deal with tactically dogmatic coaches equivalent to Ange Postecoglou and Ruben Amorim, Murray stated Potter’s fashion was “fluid” and he was not opposed to creating adjustments to formation or ways throughout a recreation.
“Once I performed underneath him, we might change formations two or thrice in a single afternoon, which is sort of a talent to have the ability to have your gamers perceive every little thing you need from them and have the ability to change in-game,” he admitted.
Whereas Brighton have gone on to attain greater issues since Potter left the Amex – taking part in in Europe underneath Roberto de Zerbi after reaching a sixth-placed Premier League end – sources on the Seagulls have recommended the Italian boss benefited massively from the work Potter had carried out throughout his stint.
Off the pitch, Brighton sources stated Potter was a “deep thinker” and a “very clever man” who cares concerning the world. He as soon as spent an evening on the streets to elevate consciousness for homelessness and has a Masters diploma in management.
