Brighton and Hove Albion supporters have been branded a 'disgrace' for booing Graham Potter upon his return to the Amex Stadium. The 47-year-old replaced Thomas Tuchel in the dugout following the Blues' defeat in the Champions League group stage opener against Dinamo Zagreb.
Potter, who penned a five-year deal at Stamford Bridge, asked fans for forgiveness upon his unveiling as the west Londoners' new head coach. Despite his heartfelt apology, a large selection of Brighton fans still feel resentment towards their former boss - the brains behind the club's most successful period in history.
As he stepped off the Chelsea team coach upon his arrival at the Amex Stadium, Potter was met with some heckling and a handful of pantomime boos. Inside the ground, Brighton fans continued to boo the Blues boss, and they've been labelled a 'disgrace' for doing so.
READ MORE: Chelsea dealt Reece James transfer plan curveball as £26m target 'storms out of Bayern training'
Speaking on talkSPORT's Breakfast Show on Monday, October 31, Jamie O'Hara revealed his astonishment at the disrespect Potter was shown by the Seagulls faithful. The former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder said: "I think it's a disgrace.
"It's fickle football fans, isn't it. He went there when they were fourth from bottom. He's changed the fortunes of the club. He's given the club a philosophy, an identity.
"He left them in fourth place in the Premier League with a brilliant squad. The club have made loads of money on players he's brought in. It's a selling club, and he's always made money and profits for them, and they play brilliant football!
"You're booing the man when he's come back to the club [where] he's done an unbelievable job because he's signed for Chelsea, who are one of the most successful clubs in the world and are in the Champions League. His first game was against AC Milan – come on! It just winds me up because that would hurt him, and he's done a brilliant job, and he's a good man, and he did nothing but good for that football club.
"When he goes back there, give him the respect he deserves with a standing ovation and say thank you! They pumped him 4-1, well done Brighton, because they have a good team – the team that he built!"
Speaking to the press after Chelsea's defeat, Potter commented on the reception he received. He said: "I have nothing to apologise or say sorry for. I think I did a good job at the club and left it in a good place, but people are entitled to their opinions.
"It's part of the process. You have to suffer and feel pain in order to grow and get better. Nobody said we were the finished article. We have to take the pain today and learn from it."
READ NEXT:
Thiago Silva, Kalidou Koulibaly and Fofana: Chelsea injury news and return dates ahead of Zagreb
Thomas Tuchel breaks silence on abrupt Chelsea exit as Todd Boehly given brutally honest verdict
What Edouard Mendy did before Kepa Arrizabalaga sub as two Chelsea aces limp out of Brighton loss
Chelsea's next four fixtures compared to Man City, Arsenal, Tottenham with two top four deciders
Chelsea news and transfers LIVE: All the latest news, rumours and gossip from Stamford Bridge
