Graham Potter given six-year contract as reward for early success at Brighton and Hove Albion

Brighton have handed Graham Potter a new six-year contract just six months after the manager was appointed on the south coast.

In a move that will be seen as Brighton looking to fend off potential interest from other clubs, chairman Tony Bloom has tied down Potter and his staff until 2025.

The extension is a reward for Potter’s immediate impact at Brighton since arriving from Swansea City in the summer. He has overseen a dramatic overhaul of the club’s playing style and shown faith in younger academy products.

Potter’s side have lost their past two matches, against Manchester United and Leicester City, but are closer to sixth place than the relegation zone after 13 games of the season.

“We have been really pleased with the start Graham has made as head coach since joining us in the summer, and I am delighted he and his staff have committed to these new long-term contracts,” said Bloom.

“Together with the backroom team, he has continued the club’s progress of recent years and brought a different approach with a new style of play which has been embraced by players and supporters alike.

“In the summer we unveiled a new long-term vision for us to become an established top-ten Premier League club, and we feel even more strongly that Graham — as a bright, energetic and innovative head coach — is the right man to lead us there.”

Assistant manager Billy Reid, first-team coach Bjorn Hamberg and assistant head of recruitment Kyle Macaulay have also agreed to extend their deals.

“I’m thrilled that the club have liked what they’ve seen so far, in a relatively short period of time, and have already shown an added confidence in what we are trying to do,” said Potter. “I hope that this is just the start of what will be another successful period in our history.”