Potter’s no gamble for Brighton’s bold owner
BRIGhTON owner and chairman Tony Bloom made his fortune as a professional gambler and he is adamant he is on to a winner by appointing up-and-coming english manager Graham Potter.
Potter was unveiled at Brighton’s training ground yesterday on his 44th birthday.
The former full back only took over at Championship side Swansea a year ago and has no experience of managing in the Premier League. he played just a handful of games in the top flight and has the unenviable task of replacing the popular Chris hughton, who was sacked despite guiding Brighton into the Premier League and keeping them there for two seasons.
But Bloom insisted: ‘I don’t think it’s a gamble. Once we’d made a decision to get a new manager in, quickly Graham became the outstanding candidate. he’s an excellent coach, he did a superb job at Swansea in difficult circumstances and he’s great with players.
‘Sometimes, not making a decision or going for a more obvious choice is a bigger gamble. I have no doubt that Graham is the right choice for this football club at this particular time.’ hughton’s sacking was a surprise, but a close shave with relegation and accusations of negative tactics left the club feeling a new direction was needed.
Potter provides that. he built his reputation at Sweden’s Ostersunds, where his modern tactics and off-the-wall ideas took the team from the fourth tier to the first.
Swansea appointed him after they had been relegated from the Premier League last season. Potter lifted the mood at the club and, despite a lack of finance, led them to a 10th-place finish in the Championship this season.
he will bring assistant Billy Reid, first-team coach Bjorn hamberg and assistant head of recruitment Kyle Macauley with him to the south coast.
Potter admitted he is a rare breed — a young english manager who has been given a big chance in the top league — but he insisted he had earned his opportunity.
‘Of course, you always need a bit of fortune in life, but I’ve worked very hard to get to this point,’ said the former defender, who played for 11 different clubs including Stoke, West Bromwich and York.
‘My unglittering football career came to an end at the age of 30 and I had to embark on a coaching career and try to learn how to be a better coach every day.
‘The path I have taken to get to this point is 14 years of hard work and sacrifice, learning and mistakes. But I’m very proud to be here now. I’ll do my best to keep improving and help this club achieve its goals.’
Potter insisted leaving Swansea was no easy decision and paid tribute to the club and their fans, saying: ‘I just want to say thank you to them. The support they gave me was incredible. I’ll always remember that, all my life.’