Graham Potter says Dan Ashworth faced “a really tough decision” before leaving Albion.

But he has backed the club to continue to progress despite his departure.

Ashworth handed in his resignation as technical director this week.

He is expected to take up a similar role at Newcastle United.

Ashworth has been at the club for almost three years and was involved in Potter’s arrival as head coach in 2019.

Potter said today: “Of course (I am) disappointed because Dan was a colleague, he was a friend, he was someone I respected a lot. Of course I still respect him.

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“He has been an important person at the football club but these things happen. It’s life.

“We are at a really well run football club, which doesn’t rely on one person, as important as they are.

“We move forward as a club together and we take on the challenge of life without Dan as best we can.”

David Weir has stepped in as acting technical director.

Potter added: “As you can imagine I had lots of calls with Dan, lots of conversations with him.

“I understood his situation.

“I think it was a really tough decision for him.

“He has got his family, he has got his reasons.

“Then you have to respect Dan is a grown man, he is a very intelligent man.

“He understands what he has got here.

“At the same time he has got another opportunity so you have to respect that in life.

“I respect Dan, I respect what he has done for the club, I respect his decision.

“But I know this club does not rely on one person.

“It’s a real collective strength that we have and that’s what I think will take us through.

“I’m looking forward to working with David Weir and we will go from there."