Brighton & Hove Albion chairman Tony Bloom believes new head coach Graham Potter “fits in perfectly” with the club’s long-term development aims.
On his 44th birthday, the former Ostersunds and Swansea City coach was unveiled on Monday after agreeing a four-year contract.
He said, “Any time we hire a new head coach it is for the long term. Things may not always happen the way you want it to, but we sincerely hope he is here for a long time and advances our football club, building on the good work of Chris Hughton.
“At this stage in the development of our club, Graham fits in perfectly.”
Bloom added that himself, technical director Dan Ashworth and CEO Paul Barber regularly monitor the development of young English coaches such as Potter.
“We constantly track head coaches so, if and when a vacancy occurs, we are ready,” he added.
“Graham stood out as the outstanding candidate and we have been aware of him for a number of years now and we were very impressed with the work he did at Ostersunds and, more recently, at Swansea with limited resources.”
The new head coach comes with a reputation at his two previous clubs of giving youngsters a chance, and asked if his appointment might mean that more of the club’s home-grown talent get an opportunity, Bloom added, “It can be quite difficult. We have only had category one academy status for five years so it’s quite new for us.
“The kids have to be the required level and that has gone up a long way in the Premier League. But if they are good enough, I’m sure Graham will put them in and we’re hopeful, in time, we will get more players through.”