New Brighton & Hove Albion head coach and birthday boy Graham Potter had no cake to tuck into, but after he was unveiled as Albion’s new head coach on Monday he admitted, “I’ve had worse presents!”
Potter celebrated his 44th birthday when he met the media at the American Express Elite Performance Centre after signing a four-year contract.
He said, “It's a fantastic opportunity for me and I’ve had worse presents that’s for sure!
“I'm very excited to be here and very proud but I’m also aware of the responsibility I have. I'm looking forward to getting further into the football club and eventually working with the players once they're back from their well-earned break.”
After cutting his coaching teeth with Swedish club Ostersunds FK, whom he led to the Europa League, Potter has impressed with the rebuilding job he did in the Championship with Swansea City last season. And he enjoyed a taste of competing against the best in the country when the Swans led Manchester City 2-0 in the FA Cup before losing 3-2 to the eventual winners.
Now he is looking forward to building on the work of his predecessor Chris Hughton as Albion prepare for their third season in the Premier League.
“My job is to try and improve - what has gone on before has been a lot of really good work.
“Chris [Hughton] did a fantastic job at this club. I've not met him personally, but everyone I've spoken to about him talked about Chris as a top person.
“I'm very fortunate to be in this position and I’m looking forward to working with the players and improving on all the hard work that has been done since the club won promotion, and to build this club in the Premier League.”