"I felt I had to" - Graham Potter pens heartfelt open letter explaining decision to leave Brighton for Chelsea

New Chelsea head coach Graham Potter has written an open letter to thank Brighton & Hove Albion and explained his decision to leave the south coast for Stamford Bridge. 

The 47-year-old was approached by Chelsea on Wednesday following the sacking of Thomas Tuchel and Brighton quickly gave permission for Potter to speak with the Blues over the head coach vacancy. 

In 24 hours, an agreement was reached between the parties and Chelsea agreed to pay Brighton in excess of £20 million for Potter and the five members of backroom staff that would be joining him in the capital. 

Potter was confirmed as Chelsea’s next head coach on Thursday afternoon and expressed his delight at becoming the new boss to lead the new era under the ownership of Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital. 

Potter told the official Chelsea website: “I am incredibly proud and excited to represent Chelsea FC, this fantastic football club. I am very excited to partner with Chelsea’s new ownership group and look forward to meeting and working with the exciting group of players and to develop a team and culture that our amazing fans can be proud of.” 

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He left a short note of thanks to Brighton for their support throughout his tenure at the AMEX Stadium, adding: “I would also like to place my sincere thanks to Brighton & Hove Albion for allowing me this opportunity and in particular Tony Bloom and all the players, staff and supporters for their continued support during my time at the club.”

His departure didn’t go down well with the Seagulls’ fanbase who were left dismayed at the decision of the 47-year-old to leave just six games into the Premier League season. 

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But Potter penned an open letter to the supporters, written on the day he was announced as Chelsea’s new head - but delayed due to the passing of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, which explained his reasons for wanting to depart while reflecting on his three-year spell on the south coast. 

He wrote: “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.”

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

The Englishman continued: “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.”

Potter concluded: “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.”