Antonio recalled. He refused to accept the ban, insisting the club had a duty of care towards him under his existing contract. From that confrontation onwards, the two men never spoke again.

Antonio stressed that Potter had never truly known him, given that the manager arrived mid-season while Antonio was conducting his rehabilitation in Dubai and Manchester, returning to the training ground only occasionally during that period.

Potter cleared out the leaders — then lamented their absence

The former West Ham forward reserved his sharpest criticism for Potter's decision to release a group of experienced players he regards as the club's senior figures. Alongside Antonio himself, he named Aaron Cresswell, Vladi Coufal, and Edson Alvarez as players who were shown the door.