"It's a great opportunity to build something long term.
"Perhaps this is a return to basics for Swansea, a club with a strong belief in its culture, that was run lean and mean and building a fantastic reputation for the football it played.
"I think under Graham [Potter], there is a real determination to return to that philosophy."
The words of new Swansea City chairman Trevor Birch back in March. The proverbial footballing firefighter had just been appointed new Liberty Stadium chief with the brief of sorting out a club in a bit of a mess.
If the brief was hard then; it's got even tougher now.
Potter, the man who has kept Swansea together over the past 11 months, is heading to Brighton. You can follow live updates of the situation here . It's a devastating blow and lays bare the problems Birch now faces. His in-tray is growing by the day; these are the issues he must now tackle.
Get a new man - but the right man
Owners Steve Kaplan and Jason Levien have received a fair bit of justified criticism over the years since they have been in charge in SA1, but one decision they got bang on was their appointment of Potter. Young, ambitious (which sadly Swansea now know all too well) and with a point to prove, Potter brought with him a style and philosophy in keeping with Swansea's mantra which had disappointingly eroded over the past few years.
Potter made watching Swansea enjoyable again - no mean feat, considering the previous two or three years of joylessness on show in Landore. In the blink of an eye, that has now gone. Just as Swansea were on the verge of some kind of stability - on the pitch, at least - the rug has been pulled. Whether you blame Potter for leaving or point fingers at the hierarchy for creating a situation where he felt he had to leave, the result is the same; Swansea are back to square one.
Early indications about the profile of the new man are this; he must fit in with the blueprint that Potter implemented and long-ball merchants won't be considered. So basically, they want a new Graham Potter.
Birch must also bring in and smooth the transition of a new managerial appointment and his coaching staff; no easy task when other sides such as West Brom and Middlesbrough are also on the lookout for new bosses.
All new appointments are a risk, a gamble; but you get the impression that this decision could shape Swansea's short and long-term future.
Swansea City star Wayne Routledge's heartfelt message to fans that will provide hope
Sell the dead wood
This section has been well-documented but it is no less relevant to Birch's job in hand now that Potter is leaving.
The manager search, however, is likely to take precedence over the finding of buyers for the Ayew brothers, Borja Baston and possibly Jefferson Montero and Tom Carroll.
The Ayews and Baston are the key trio to move, as their wages are a huge drain of financial resources.
This isn't a new problem; this has been on the agenda for almost a year. This summer will need to see it resolved.
Sell the good players - reluctantly
This will stick in the back of a few fans' throats but the stark reality is this; Swansea need to fill this often-mentioned £30million hole in the finances. The past two transfer windows have seen them address the first half of the £60million needed to balance the books; this summer is where they will need to find the remainder of that sum.
The players listed above should bring in around £10million to £15million, but big-name stars such as Daniel James are also likely to go and it will be Birch's job to get a good fee for his signature. Despite having just a year left on his contract, the Wales youngster should command a fee of at least £15million. Swansea will hope for more, especially if a bidding war between the Premier League's top clubs can be whipped up. Manchester United remain in pole position, but it is understood no official contact has yet been made by United to James' camp.
Swansea City play down threat of player exodus as Graham Potter edges closer to Brighton hot seat
Most supporters have accepted James' inevitable departure. What would be harder to swallow would be the sales of Oliver McBurnie or Matt Grimes, both linked with moves away already this summer. Potter's arrival at the Amex Stadium will obviously heighten speculation over reunions on the south coast.
But the spine of Swansea's team must be kept together for the sake of the club's short and long-term future.
The club Swansea City play down threat of player exodus as Graham Potter edges closer to Brighton hot seat this summer; Swansea fans will hope that is indeed the case.
And in terms of incomings, forget it - until players leave, no-one will be arriving.
Allaying player concerns and redundancies
What will the players in the first-team squad be thinking right now? Their progressive manager, who has shown so much faith in their ability this season, is now exiting stage right and the crown jewels are up for sale for the right price.
Assurances over what the summer will hold will surely be sought - Potter asked for the same in negotiations before he told chiefs he wanted to join the Seagulls - and that is likely to be a difficult conversation, especially with no manager in place at present.
In terms of the redundancy situation, Birch arrived in South Wales with the club already in the process of consultation, with every member of staff (bar first-team players and the manager) served with a notice.
It is believed that the process is now over, but morale will need a serious shot in the arm.
The ace Swansea have
Luckily, Swansea have an ace up their sleeve.
Birch is a specialist in these situations, having performed miracles at crisis clubs such as Portsmouth in the past.
By all accounts Birch is well liked at the Liberty and has made a very good impression thus far.
He has his work cut out, it's a daunting task, but Swansea will feel they have the right man in charge.
Swansea City one of several clubs eyeing Ryan Tafazolli on free transfer - reports
