Potter joined West Ham refreshed and together with his fame intact, a extremely regarded, measured particular person who was within the Soccer Affiliation’s post-Southgate calculations and who had additionally attracted the curiosity of Everton once they dismissed Sean Dyche.
He had risen steadily, a thought of constructor of golf equipment and groups reasonably than a quick-fix drawback solver that made him an ailing match for golf equipment as demanding – on and off the pitch – as Chelsea.
After ready so lengthy for what he believed was the proper membership for his managerial and training abilities, Potter walked straight right into a gap at West Ham.
He got here to prominence at Ostersund in Sweden earlier than being appointed supervisor of Swansea in June 2018, and his growth and engaging enjoying fashion earned him a transfer to Brighton a yr later.
Brighton was the right platform for Potter, residence to persistence and planning beneath proprietor Tony Bloom alongside technical director Dan Ashworth, with a wise recruitment group that uncovered gems corresponding to midfielders Moises Caicedo and Alex Mac Allister.
Potter was at his greatest on the coaching floor, main Brighton to ninth within the Premier League the season earlier than he left, leaving them to hitch Chelsea when the Seagulls have been fourth after successful 4 of their first six video games, together with an opening-weekend win at Manchester United.
He can level to main Chelsea into the final eight of the Champions League whereas at Stamford Bridge, however – as at West Ham – Potter appeared at instances to be overwhelmed by occasions earlier than being consumed by a ruthless sacking.
Potter’s downfall has come from becoming a member of two golf equipment with polar reverse approaches to Brighton, the place Bloom by no means misplaced religion even after an early run of solely two wins in 19 video games. Potter had the belief and religion of the hierarchy in a fashion which has by no means been replicated since.
Former England defender Martin Keown informed the BBC: “Potter was at Chelsea not so way back. He might have been an England supervisor.
“Now you take a look at his profession and his win share at Chelsea and West Ham. His subsequent job now within the Premier League, if he will get one, is actually essential for him.”
Potter has not truly dealt in excessive win percentages all through his Premier League profession.
In 120 video games at Brighton he gained 34 and misplaced 42, with a 28% successful ratio. At Chelsea it was 32%, with seven wins, whereas at West Ham he gained six video games or 26%.
Potter’s energy as a coach was at all times organisation and tactical self-discipline, but he even appeared misplaced on this context at West Ham, particularly at set-pieces.
Keown mentioned: “I watched them play Spurs a few weeks in the past and also you noticed the set-pieces.
“They’ve conceded seven targets from set-pieces this season. It appeared like a set of schoolboys on the market – no actual path. Finally that has to return again to the supervisor.”
The often calm Potter exterior was changed by a character who appeared like he was carrying the burden of the world on his shoulders as a second high-profile Premier League failure unfolded.
The place Potter goes subsequent is solely guesswork.
The continent might name, the place he might discover a set-up that fits him, however the notion of an enormous Premier League submit is fanciful within the excessive.
Potter’s ending at West Ham caps a spectacular fall from grace from the territory the place he was as soon as a reside contender within the dialog of these with the qualities befitting an England supervisor.
