Graham Potter: Brighton set to appoint Swansea manager

Graham Potter led Ostersunds FK from the regional tiers to the Swedish top flight with three promotions, as well as winning the Swedish Cup

Brighton are set to appoint Graham Potter as their new manager after he informed Swansea City that he wants to leave.

Brighton sacked Chris Hughton on Monday and immediately targeted Potter.

Swansea offered Potter, 43, a new contract which would have made him one of the best-paid managers in the Championship, but he felt he could not reject a Premier League job offer.

Brighton will pay Swansea about £3m in compensation for Potter and his staff.

Swansea assistant manager Billy Reid, coach Bjorn Hamberg and head of recruitment Kyle Macaulay will join Potter at the Amex Stadium.

Potter was given permission to talk to Brighton after telling Swansea late on Friday that he wanted to leave.

The continuing financial uncertainty at Swansea is thought to have been one of the key factors behind his decision.

Swansea have been cutting costs since they were relegated from the Premier League a year ago.

Following their relegation, they allowed 16 players to depart last summer and made only five signings.

More players are expected to leave this summer. Wales winger Daniel James is set to be sold and more than £20m of signings will depart on free transfers.

Potter joined Swansea from Swedish side Ostersunds FK in June 2018 and guided them to a 10th-place finish in the Championship despite drastic cost-cutting measures following Premier League relegation.

Brighton finished 17th in the Premier League this season, two points clear of the relegation zone.

They won only three of their past 23 games and none of their final nine.

Hughton, who took over at Brighton in December 2014, led them to the Premier League for the first time in 2017, and they finished 15th in their first season back in the top flight.