Swansea City are facing increased competition for the services of their manager Graham Potter after he emerged as the front-runner to succeed Chris Hughton at Brighton.

Hughton was sacked on Monday morning following Brighton's final-day defeat to Premier League champions Manchester City, but it was the club's overall performance in the second half of the season that ultimately led to his dismissal.

It has quickly become apparent that the Seagulls are targeting Potter as Hughton's long-term successor after his excellent work at Swansea this season.

The 43-year-old has needed to contend with a limited budget and trouble behind the scenes during his debut season in English football, but he guided the Swans to a 10th-placed finish in the Championship.

His work in south Wales this season means it is of paramount importance that Swansea do all they can to keep hold of Potter this summer. The situation at Swansea is precariously poised, and there is a growing feeling that it will all collapse if Potter departs.

The former Ostersunds boss has Swansea playing the passing football that got them promoted to the Premier League initially, and this has been warmly welcomed by the Liberty Stadium faithful.

He has also leant heavily on the club's academy set-up to form a young, vibrant squad with the likes of Daniel James, Matt Grimes, Oli McBurnie, Joe Rodon and Connor Roberts all impressing this term.

This has led to a number of Premier League clubs becoming linked with James and Grimes. If Potter leaves, you can't help but feel that many of these young players may start to see their immediate futures elsewhere.

Potter was handed a three-year contract when he first took over at the Liberty Stadium, representing that the move was seen as a long-term project rather than a quick fix. Everyone at the club - including the players - will have invested in this idea of a project, so Potter's departure would signal an abrupt end to this era at the club. The floodgates could well open.

It is crucial Swansea fend off any interest in their boss, unless he makes it clear he wants to leave. Potter's potential departure could prove to be a hammer blow.