Swansea City star Wayne Routledge says the players have been left "shocked" by Graham Potter's departure for Brighton - while also revealing he asked for a clause to be removed from his contract.
The Liberty club have been left in a state of disappointment after Potter joined the Seagulls on Monday on a four-year contract .
It followed a week of intense speculation surrounding his future, with the 44-year-old asking for assurances from Swansea chiefs over what would happen during the summer transfer window.
But after being persuaded by the top brass at Brighton to move to the south coast of England, Potter and his backroom staff headed to the Amex Stadium for a crack at the Premier League.
It has left Swansea back at square one, and Routledge summed up the general mood about the club following the news.
"It's disappointing. I think he'd done a really good job with what he came into, with a lot of outgoings and a lot of players who hadn't played a lot of competitive football," Routledge told the BBC .
"I've been here for a long time now and, like most fans are thinking, who can come in and keep the club moving in the right direction which we all think we're heading?
"It was starting to come together towards the end of the season and it nearly finished in something that was quite special.
Swansea City Supporters' Trust issue message to owners following Graham Potter's Brighton move
"It didn't pan out, but it was still a season we could be proud of and you could see we were working towards something.
"(The players) have not spoken about it, but I'd say the mood would be one of shock and disappointment."
The veteran winger is out of contract this summer, and wasn't included on the club's retained list released at the end of last week. It provoked a reaction among the fanbase, with many feeling the former QPR man deserved an extension after his career experienced at Indian summer over the past six months or so.
It is believed that the club are eager to speak to the 34-year-old over a new contract, and despite not being offered fresh terms yet, he iterated his desire to stay and revealed he asked for a clause to be removed which would have triggered another year automatically.
"I had a clause if I played a certain amount of games it would trigger a new deal, but the way the club is financially it was never going to happen," he said.
"I felt I could help the team so I approached the club to see if we could take it out if it meant I could play."
Despite not playing during the early months of Potter's tenure, Routledge has been the ultimate professional for a club who he has formed a strong bond with since joining in the summer of 2011.
"There's been a small amount of dialogue, but no official paperwork or contract, it's why I tweeted that if I have played my last game it's been an honour. I've loved every minute of it," he added.
"I have a club I've played for a long period of time which is quite unusual in my career. I have an affection for the place.
"I've said to the club I'm willing to work with what's on offer as long as it's something respectable.
"I can't wait forever, but I feel I can continue to help the rebuilding process and get us back to where we want to be. It's going to take a lot of work, but I'd like to and I'm willing to stay - but I can't stay without an offer."
