Exclusive:Why Graham Potter won’t have an ‘easy life’ if he returns to Brighton

The potential return of Graham Potter to Brighton as the next head coach is causing division among the fanbase. Some supporters acknowledge his past successes at the club, such as achieving a historic top 10 finish in the Premier League. However, others are angered by comments he made while at Chelsea, where he seemed to belittle the Brighton job.

Potter’s previous actions, like restructuring Brighton’s staff and making comments about having an “easy life” at Brighton, have not been forgotten by some fans, leading to hostility on social media. There’s even a fan who jokingly threatened to set fire to themselves if Potter returns, though it’s obviously not serious.

Considering Brighton’s recent successes under other coaches, such as reaching sixth place and European football under Roberto De Zerbi, there are concerns that bringing back Potter could be a step backward for the club. Brighton chairman Tony Bloom has praised the recent quality and style of play under De Zerbi, raising questions about whether Potter’s return would maintain that level.

There’s speculation that Potter’s return might be justified by claiming he laid the groundwork for the team’s success under De Zerbi. However, there were differences in vision between De Zerbi and the club’s recruitment policy, which led to his departure.

Brighton’s recent financial success, including record profits, has been attributed to their recruitment strategy, which combines signing experienced Premier League players with young talent from around the world. Despite this, some fans would prefer to see the profits reinvested into big-money signings.

Despite the division among fans, returning to Potter could be seen as a safe choice for Brighton due to his familiarity with the club and past achievements. While there are other coaching options, such as Henrik Rydstrom, Brighton seems inclined towards Potter, especially with other potential candidates unavailable. However, Potter would need to address concerns and start positively to win over skeptical fans.