Before I speak about his managerial career, I must mention the academics that Potter completed before leaping into his career in Football.
He completed a master's in leadership and emotional intelligence at Leeds University, and put theory into practice with the school’s team.
He completed a master's in leadership and emotional intelligence at Leeds University, and put theory into practice with the school’s team.
He spent 5 years completing this degree. Potter cites this as a great time in his life where:
“I could make my mistakes, develop with the students and players there. I also worked with the people at the university to put some concept and theory on my own experiences”.
“I could make my mistakes, develop with the students and players there. I also worked with the people at the university to put some concept and theory on my own experiences”.
This is a period where Potter grew in confidence, not only in football knowledge, but in speaking to others, how to relay a message, how to deal with personalities, and so on and so forth.
This invaluable experience has become a cornerstone of his managerial career.
This invaluable experience has become a cornerstone of his managerial career.
Ready for the next stage in his career, in December 2010, Potter signed a three-year contract as coach of Ă–stersund, who were then playing in the fourth tier of Swedish football.
Due to his pleasing style of play, Östersund won successive promotions in Potter’s first two years.
Due to his pleasing style of play, Östersund won successive promotions in Potter’s first two years.
As a result, in 2013, the Jämtkraft Arena hosted football in the Superettan, Sweden’s second division, for the first time in the clubs history.
In their first season, they finished tenth, before improving to fifth the next year. But then came even more unprecedented success.
In their first season, they finished tenth, before improving to fifth the next year. But then came even more unprecedented success.
In October 2015, Potter led them to the Allsvenskan, the Swedish top-flight, for the first time.
For a club who had spent almost its entire life languishing in the lower reaches of the county’s football pyramid, this was incredibly uncharted territory.
For a club who had spent almost its entire life languishing in the lower reaches of the county’s football pyramid, this was incredibly uncharted territory.
Promotion to Sweden’s top table was astonishing enough, but they more than held their own in the top division, finishing 8th in their first season in 2016.
A finish in 5th and the club’s first major trophy followed in 2017, when they won the Swedish equivalent of the FA Cup.
A finish in 5th and the club’s first major trophy followed in 2017, when they won the Swedish equivalent of the FA Cup.
Along with impressive European results, such as a 2-1 win against Arsenal at the Emirates, and a 2-0 win over Galatasaray, Potters stock rose.
His tactical masterclass over the Turkish giants has been been broken down for those interested.
His tactical masterclass over the Turkish giants has been been broken down for those interested.
His time at the Swedish club had come to an end, and in June of 2018, Potter joined the Championship side Swansea City.
Nothing too interesting came from this tenure, as he only completed one full season with the club, finishing 10th.
Nothing too interesting came from this tenure, as he only completed one full season with the club, finishing 10th.
At Swansea, Potter used ten different formations and his team completed the most passes per 90 minutes in the Championship. But, he mostly deployed a 3-5-2.
Here is an interesting quote from footballing mastermind, Marcelo Bielsa, who has become an admirer of Graham Potter.
Here is an interesting quote from footballing mastermind, Marcelo Bielsa, who has become an admirer of Graham Potter.
After Brighton dismissed Chris Hughton at the end of the 19/20 season, Potter joined on May 20, 2019, in order to have the summer to prepare with his new club.
He was chosen for his “progressive and unconventional” coaching methods, which will be described in detail now.
He was chosen for his “progressive and unconventional” coaching methods, which will be described in detail now.
Before I jump into it, I want to have a clear cut definition of xG, as it will be fundamental to my opinion on Potter. xG measures the quality of a chance based on:
• the distance from the goal
• the line of sight (if there’s defenders blocking)
• the angle from the goal
• the distance from the goal
• the line of sight (if there’s defenders blocking)
• the angle from the goal
On the xP (expected points) model, which is based off of xG results, Brighton would find themselves fourth in the PL.
Now, i’m not suggesting that Brighton should be 4th, as there other factors to consider, but Brighton have been seriously underperforming with his system.
Now, i’m not suggesting that Brighton should be 4th, as there other factors to consider, but Brighton have been seriously underperforming with his system.
I would describe Potter’s football as “totalitarian” as his three at the back formation is understood by every single player.
There is a system in place to handle nearly every situation, and each player knows their role given a certain situation. This is their typical formation:
There is a system in place to handle nearly every situation, and each player knows their role given a certain situation. This is their typical formation:
One common myth is that Potter’s side is poor defensively. This is simply not true, as they have only conceded 39 times in 34 games, which is only 1 less than Tottenham this season.
Moreover, they concede the second least non-penalty xGA this season, only behind Man City.
Moreover, they concede the second least non-penalty xGA this season, only behind Man City.
Brighton defend in a 5-2-3 formation, where the wingbacks drop back to provide defensive cover.
His underlying tactical mantra throughout all his formations is adaptability, keeping possession of the ball, moving the ball swiftly, and intelligent positioning.
His underlying tactical mantra throughout all his formations is adaptability, keeping possession of the ball, moving the ball swiftly, and intelligent positioning.
In possession, the CB’s constantly look to unleash the wingbacks, in order to scorch the opposition winger with pace, so the oppositions backline gets driven back.
B’ton have a high line of engagement, but the backline stays quite deep, thus counter attacks rarely trouble them.
B’ton have a high line of engagement, but the backline stays quite deep, thus counter attacks rarely trouble them.
This engagement was crucial in Brighton securing a victory over Liverpool earlier this season.
Please note the minute on the clock. Brighton’s players are still chasing the ball like rabid dogs in order to secure a win. That is pressing football.
Please note the minute on the clock. Brighton’s players are still chasing the ball like rabid dogs in order to secure a win. That is pressing football.
In attack, Potter places an emphasis on building from the back. Lamptey, as an adventurous fullback, allows for many triangles in the midfield, which assists in both ball retention and vertical progression.
The overload on the flanks gives the Seagulls the numerical advantage.
The overload on the flanks gives the Seagulls the numerical advantage.
The preferred position for Potter is either a 343 or a 3232, as they move the ball up swiftly.
Here is a video of Brighton’s build up play, in which they beat the press of one of the most effective teams in doing so, Liverpool. Smart passing and movement.
Here is a video of Brighton’s build up play, in which they beat the press of one of the most effective teams in doing so, Liverpool. Smart passing and movement.
Brighton sit 9th in terms of possession (50.7%). Moreover, a high percentage of their passes come from longer diagonal passes, boasting the third most amount of long passes per game (63).
This allows the Seagulls to control the tempo of the game, as they defend with possession.
This allows the Seagulls to control the tempo of the game, as they defend with possession.
His systems change from game to game, but the underpinning tactical concepts remain:
build up through the wide areas via quick, short passes, and look to find the dynamic/mobile striker in the penalty area.
Their xG underperformance and lack of lethality is letting them down
build up through the wide areas via quick, short passes, and look to find the dynamic/mobile striker in the penalty area.
Their xG underperformance and lack of lethality is letting them down
Compared to Tottenham, who find themselves 8th on the xP table, Potter and the Spurs may be a perfect match.
Tottenham’s xG over performance due to having two deadly attackers, paired with a manager who has a system that oozes chance creation may just be a match made in heaven.
Tottenham’s xG over performance due to having two deadly attackers, paired with a manager who has a system that oozes chance creation may just be a match made in heaven.
Thus, in conclusion, Potter’s brand of expansive, proactive, and aggressive football may just be perfect for Tottenham. He is defensively sound, and has a system in place that maximizes chance creation.
The final piece to his philosophy may just be world class finishers.
The final piece to his philosophy may just be world class finishers.
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