Brighton fans have been labelled “a disgrace” by ex-Tottenham midfielder Jamie O’Hara for booing former boss Graham Potter during their 4-1 victory over Chelsea on Saturday.
Potter left the Seagulls to succeed Thomas Tuchel at Stamford Bridge in September after doing a fantastic job at the Amex Stadium.
But it was an unpleasant return to Brighton for Potter on Saturday with the former Swansea City boss booed by large sections of the home support before his team were thrashed.
And O’Hara expressed lots of sympathy for Potter – who lost his first match since joining the club at the weekend – on Monday morning and branded Brigton fans “a disgrace” and “stupid”.
“I think it’s a disgrace,” O’Hara told talkSPORT.
“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!”
O’Hara added: “At the end of the day, they got a great result with a team that Potter built.
“He hasn’t left them when they’re on their knees and in a bad place. He’s left them in a great position. With the greatest respect to Brighton they’re never going to be Chelsea and they’re one of the best clubs in the world.”
O’Hara continued: “It’s like in any other walk of life or in any job. It’s like if you’re working for Yahoo and then Google come in for you!
“They say you’re doing a great job at Yahoo but Google want you and they’re going to give you double your money and you’ll be one of the big heads at Google!
“You’re going ‘thanks guys, I’m off to Google’. Why is it different in football? Why can’t you leave jobs without getting stick and getting booed?! It’s stupid.”
READ MORE: Brighton reach peak catharsis as they put Graham Potter and Chelsea to the sword
