New Chelsea boss Graham Potter breaks his silence with an open letter to Brighton and their supporters after leaving the club.
The 47 year old was confirmed on Thursday and will be in the dugout for their Champions League game against RB Salzburg on Wednesday.
He signed a five-year contract at Stamford Bridge after Chelsea agreed to pay Brighton around £20m in compensation to replace Thomas Tuchel following his sacking.
In the absence of the Premier League meeting against Fulham, he’s already getting to know his new players and has already spoken to a number of his Chelsea stars’ one-on-one.
Potter has sought to emphasise the “importance of leadership and dressing room unity”.
Chelsea Football Club is delighted to welcome Graham Potter as our new Head Coach! 🤝
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) September 8, 2022
THE LETTER
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.
Good luck to Graham and his staff. Thank you for some wonderful memories. 🤝 pic.twitter.com/1Phmdsk5Y6
— Brighton & Hove Albion (@OfficialBHAFC) September 8, 2022
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
Fans had their say after new Chelsea boss Graham Potter breaks his silence with an open letter to Brighton and their supporters…
@LevelM7: I’m not even angry, I’m just sad now
@olliebha_: not really sure what to say the whole things just very sour
@BBiddulph86: 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.
@iMattGarrett: Great letter and reflects well on GP. It’s PL football and Albion fans won’t be shedding any tears if we take another manager and all his staff from a club – it’s the way it is
@TippleBHAFC: Thank you, that was great to read. A lot of us need something from Bruno IMO. He was taken into the fans hearts like few I can remember and him leaving has really hurt a lot of people. 🙏
@JH07996591: all to paint himself in a better light hope no one has fell for it
@Annekabhafc: 😭 he left when we were building something special I just can’t forgive him for that
@DGB259: Blimey, some of the comments on here. Yes we all all disappointed and yes the fact that so many key people have also left makes it worse. However, this was going to happen one day. If PG can leave Barca, then GP can leave Brighton. Thank you Graham for what you did for #bhafc
@New_Ali_G: Thank you for the memories Graham 😢💙
@Obi77BHA: Sold out for the money. We won’t forgive and we won’t forget.
@Richardpollins: Football is always full of ups and downs. We will wish him well and move on.
@TideyJoanna: Thank you Graham. What a brilliant manager you were. Understand why you wanted to move on and wish you and the other coaches well. But it still hurts at the suddenness of it all. 💙💙👏
@MozCharles: There is a lot of disappointment and anger regarding this. Thing is, and in truth, it’s simply taking a promotion and better money in another company like so many of us do. It can’t be a surprise. I think it’s a mistake to join Chelsea as they show no respect to managers tho.
@MH_WHUFC_: Reckon if I was a Brighton fan I’d just give up on football. On a Europa League charge and your manager leaves after 6 games. Brutal
@minute_tweets: I understand sentiment. I understand fan anger and annoyance. But put your hand to your heart and there’s absolutely NO WAY, you don’t love Graham Potter. I request fans to take the kick to the gut, move on and wish our greatest ever manager well. We owe him that.#BHAFC
@HorshamSeagull: A thoughtful letter from Graham Potter expressing his thanks and gratitude to Albion and its fans. Not quite sure why it took three days to publish after being written. Still very disappointed that he took Bruno and Roberts with him though 🔵⚪️
@SamMctweets: Some of the comments on this are disappointing and show the mentality and maturity of some of this fan base. Yes, a shame to lose him, but football goes on. Transfers happen, the same with managers. Thanks, Graham and all the best. #bhafc #Potter #CFC
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