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Tag: Graham Potter

  • What I learned from Chelsea axing – Potter

    What I learned from Chelsea axing – Potter

    West Ham boss Graham Potter has again revisited his sacking at Chelsea.

    Potter was axed by Chelsea in April 2023 before returning to football this season with the Irons.

    “At the time you can imagine I wasn’t in a good place because you are disappointed to lose your job and it hasn’t gone very well, or clearly as well as you’d like,” Potter told Football Focus.

    “It was a tough moment.”

    On how he looks back at his dismissal, Potter said: “I think it makes you better, it makes you a stronger person, it makes you a better coach.

    “The worst that can happen is you can lose your job and you can still be alright, you can still move forward, still have something to offer, still grow as a person.

    “That bubble we’re in, it can be a little too far down the rabbit hole. Be grateful for the good and the bad, just deal with it.”

    He also said of his time away from the game, “It was nice to get out of the bubble – 12 years, you can end up lacking a bit of perspective.

    “To zoom out and see the world and football for what it is, and hopefully it makes you a better person and better manager.”

  • EPL: I will never take up interim managerial position in my career again – Lampard

    EPL: I will never take up interim managerial position in my career again – Lampard

    Chelsea’s caretaker boss, Frank Lampard has revealed that he wouldn’t like to take up interim manager position again in his coaching career.

    Recall that Blues co-owner, Todd Boehly brought in Lampard on a temporary basis after Graham Potter was sacked in April.

    Lampard is yet to win in six games since returning to Chelsea in an interim capacity.

    The former midfielder has lost all the six fixtures he has taken charge of so far in the Premier League.

    Lampard is widely expected to leave Stamford Bridge for the second time in the summer and be replaced by Mauricio Pochettino.

    But the 44-year-old has now said he would not be open to short-term jobs anymore.

    “I’m happy here but I don’t want to be an interim manager in my next job. I haven’t got regrets.

    “When I came back here I certainly took it on with a lot of heart and understanding that it was short term. But I don’t want to be an interim manager again,” Lampard said.

    Chelsea will play Bournemouth away from home on Saturday (Today) in Lampard’s seventh game in charge since he returned to the side.

    Chelsea presently occupy the 12th position on the English Premier League log.

  • EPL: I have never selected a team – Chelsea interim coach, Bruno Saltor

    EPL: I have never selected a team – Chelsea interim coach, Bruno Saltor

    Following Chelsea’s clash with Liverpool later tonight, interim head coach, Bruno Saltor has admitted that it would be his first time of selecting a team.

    Recall that Graham Potter was fired by Chelsea on Sunday night and Bruno Saltor has been handed the mantle to lead the team on an interim basis pending when a new coach would be hired.

    He only began his coaching career a few years ago under Potter after he retired as a professional footballer at Brighton.

    The 42-year-old followed Potter to Chelsea earlier this season.

    Speaking at his pre-match press conference on Monday ahead of Chelsea’s Premier League tie with Liverpool, Saltor said: “I have been coaching for four years and have been coaching under Graham.

    “Obviously, he has been the manager and he always had the last word. It is quite clear that it has not been the case [Bruno picking a team]. Tomorrow is going to be the first time.

    “I feel good. It is my duty and responsibility. I’m at a really important club and I want to try my best.”

    He added, “If I am here right now, it’s because Graham and the club thought it was the right step and I am here just trying to help the club and trying to be the most professional I can.”

  • EPL: Julian Nagelsmann takes decision on joining Chelsea

    EPL: Julian Nagelsmann takes decision on joining Chelsea

    Former Bayern Munich manager, Julian Nagelsmann has finally taken a decision about joining Chelsea before the season ends.

    Recall that Chelsea sacked Graham Potter on Sunday after the team’s Premier League 2-0 defeat to Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge and Nagelsmann has been tipped as the leading candidate to succeed at the club.

    Chelsea are understood to rate Nagelsmann extremely highly and will push hard to convince him to take the job immediately.

    However, according to Gianluca Di Marzio, Nagelsmann is currently on holiday and would prefer to wait until the summer to begin his next project rather than join the Blues with just a handful of games remaining this season.

    The 35-year-old was sacked by Bayern Munich last week despite the German giants still being in contention to win the treble.

    Chelsea are currently occupying the 11th position on the EPL log and may miss out of playing continental football next season.

  • EPL: Real reason Chelsea sacked Graham Potter

    EPL: Real reason Chelsea sacked Graham Potter

    Chelsea have sacked manager Graham Potter, the London-based football club said on Sunday after a string of poor results left the team 11th in the English Premier League (EPL).

    Potter had been signed by Chelsea’s new owners in September after they prised him away from Brighton & Hove Albion.

    But the Englishman has now lasted just 31 games, winning only 12, before the owners pulled the trigger.

    Potter oversaw wins in the UEFA Champions League where they topped their group after beating AC Milan twice and knocked out Borussia Dortmund.

    But their domestic league form nosedived as they fell out of the top four and into the bottom half of the table.

    His last game in charge was Chelsea’s 0-2 loss at home to Aston Villa on Saturday which led to boos and jeers from the fans at Stamford Bridge.

    The result had left them 12 points off the top four and in danger of missing out on Europe next season.

    “Graham has agreed to collaborate with the club to facilitate a smooth transition,” Chelsea said in a statement.

    “In his time with the club, Graham has taken us to the quarter-finals of the 2022/2023 UEFA Champions League, where we will face Real Madrid.

    “Chelsea will like to thank Graham for all his efforts and contribution and wish him well for the future.

    “Bruno Saltor will take charge of the team as interim head coach.”

    Saltor’s first game in charge is on Tuesday at home to eighth-placed Liverpool, who sit four points above them.

    “Along with our incredible fans, we will all be getting behind Bruno and the team as we focus on the rest of the season,” co-controlling owners Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali said.

    “We have 10 Premier League games remaining and a Champions League quarter-final ahead. We will put every effort and commitment into every one of those games so that we can end the season on a high.”

    Potter is the 12th manager to be sacked in the Premier League this season and the announcement came hours after relegation-threatened Leicester City parted ways with Brendan Rodgers by mutual agreement.

    Potter came under criticism after he failed to get the best out of a squad that had been heavily reinforced over two transfer windows.

    Owners Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital spent over 600 million euros (650.76 million dollars) on new players.

    The club statement sacking Potter reads in full: “Chelsea FC has announced that Graham Potter has departed the club. Graham has agreed to collaborate with the Club to facilitate a smooth transition.

    “In his time with the club, Graham has taken us to the quarter final of the Champions League, where we will face Real Madrid. Chelsea would like to thank Graham for all his efforts and contribution and wish him well for the future.

    “Bruno Saltor will take charge of the team as Interim Head Coach.

    “Co-controlling owners Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali said: “On behalf of everyone at the club, we want to thank Graham sincerely for his contribution to Chelsea.

    “We have the highest degree of respect for Graham as a coach and as a person. He has always conducted himself with professionalism and integrity and we are all disappointed in this outcome.

    “Along with our incredible fans, we will all be getting behind Bruno and the team as we focus on the rest of the season. We have 10 Premier League games remaining and a Champions League quarter final ahead.

    “We will put every effort and commitment into every one of those games so that we can end the season on a high””.

  • EPL: Chelsea sack Graham Potter seven months after being appointed

    EPL: Chelsea sack Graham Potter seven months after being appointed

    Following Chelsea’s poor run of form in the English Premier League, Manager Graham Potter has been sacked by the club management.

    Potter only lasted just seven months in the job at Stamford Bridge; former Brighton defender Bruno Saltor has been appointed as interim head coach and will lead Chelsea against  Liverpool on Tuesday night.

    Former Bayern Munich manager, Julian Nagelsmann has been picked as the favourite to replace Potter in the coming days.

    Potter was appointed as Thomas Tuchel’s replacement on September 8 on a five-year deal, but has left the club just seven months into that contract, after winning only seven of his 22 Premier League games in charge.

    Chelsea face Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-finals later this month but Potter’s departure follows Chelsea’s 2-0 defeat at home to Aston Villa on Saturday night, a result which left the Blues 11th in the Premier League table, 12 points behind fourth-placed Manchester United.

    During the Stamford Bridge defeat, a section of Chelsea supporters sang: “you don’t know what you’re doing” at Potter.

    Chelsea are currently placed 11th on the EPL log with no hopes of playing continental football next season

    The Blues only hope of winning a silverware is if they win the UEFA Champions League.

  • EPL: Why we lost 2-0 to Aston Villa – Chelsea manager, Graham Potter

    EPL: Why we lost 2-0 to Aston Villa – Chelsea manager, Graham Potter

    Chelsea manager, Graham Potter, has stated reasons why his side lost 2-0 to Aston Villa at the Stamford Bridge on Saturday evening.

    Ollie Watkins and John McGinn scored for the visitors as they claimed a stunning result at Stamford Bridge.

    The Blues  who have remained in 10th position for a very lond time dropped to 11th position after the defeat.

    Potter’s men are 11 points off fourth place. They are also nine behind fifth-placed Newcastle United having played two games more.

    “In both boxes we were second best. The first goal was disappointing from our perspective. We need to do a little better there, of course.

    “But there were a lot of good things in the game, a lot of attacking play, attacking entries, shots.

    “But because of the scoreline it’s not. We’re down in the game and we’re really disappointed,” Potter told Sky Sports.

  • EPL: Potter heaps praises on Ngolo Kante after returning from injury

    EPL: Potter heaps praises on Ngolo Kante after returning from injury

    Chelsea boss Graham Potter has heaped praises on Chelsea midfielder, Ngolo Kante after returning from Injury.

    Potter said that the midfielder N’Golo Kante is a top player for the club.

    Kante has not played a single game under Potter at Chelsea as a result of a long spell on the sideline over injuries.

    However, Potter said the combative midfielder could return from his long absence against Everton at the weekend.

    During his press conference on Friday, Potter said: “N’Golo Kante has a chance of being back in the squad.

    “Managers before me have spoken very highly of N’Golo because he’s a top, top player. He’s a huge miss to us.

    “N’Golo Kante is N’Golo Kante. It’s great for us he is back and we have to be mindful he has a long injury.”

  • EPL: Chelsea eyes current Brighton coach, Zerbi as Potter’s replacement

    EPL: Chelsea eyes current Brighton coach, Zerbi as Potter’s replacement

    According to a report, Chelsea are reportedly interested in replacing  Graham Potter with Brighton boss Roberto de Zerbi.

    Zerbi took over from Potter at Brighton and he’s also presently being eyed by Chelsea.

    The Brighton coach is regarded as a top manager and Chelsea bosses reportedly rank him very highly.

    Potter is presently experiencing a turbulent moment at Stamford Bridge, having failed to manage a win in the last seven games.

    The Englishman is believed to be living on borrowed time at the west London club, despite the fact that Chelsea co-owner Todd Boehly had initially chosen to stick by him to turn the club’s fortunes around.

    The report added that although Chelsea are still sticking by Potter for now, there have been quiet talks behind the scenes on potential replacements, with De Zerbi on top of the shortlist.

    The 43-year-old Italian  (Zerbi) is viewed as an exciting young manager who could take Chelsea to the next level with his modern and radical way of management.

    Zerbi has steadied the ship at Brighton despite taking over in the middle of the season, they are presently occupying the 8th position on the log with just 22 games in the English Premier League.

  • Chelsea: Graham Potter admits death threats received

    Chelsea: Graham Potter admits death threats received

    Chelsea boss Graham Potter says he and his family have received anonymous death threats following the club’s poor run of form.

    The Blues have won just two of their past 14 games in all competitions and lost to Premier League strugglers Southampton on Saturday.

    Chelsea say they are offering their full support to Potter and his family.

    “I’ve had some not particularly nice emails come through, that want me to die,” Potter said.

    “That’s obviously not pleasant to receive.”

    The former Brighton boss said the anonymous emails had also referenced threats against his children.

    Under Potter, who was appointed in September following the sacking of Thomas Tuchel, Chelsea have won just nine of their 25 games.

    “You could ask my family how life has been for me and for them. It’s been not pleasant at all,” Potter added.

    “If you go to work and somebody’s swearing abuse at you, it’s not going to be pleasant.

    “You can answer it two ways. I could say I don’t care, but you know I’m lying. Everyone cares what people think, because we’re hardwired to be socially connected.”

    Chelsea say they are offering Potter and his family whatever support they need but that it is a personal matter.

    The Blues are currently 10th in the league, 11 points off the Champions League places.

    Speaking before Sunday’s Premier League game against Tottenham, Potter said: “With the results as they are, you accept criticism.

    “That’s not to say it’s easy at all. Your family life suffers, your mental health suffers, your personality – it is hard.”

    Potter acknowledged that fans were “entitled to be angry” with recent results, but he said he would not be undone by the abuse.

    “Life is tough for lots of people,” he said.

    “You ask me is it hard, I say yes it is hard. You suffer. You get upset. When you’re in private, you show real emotion with your family.

    “But the world is tough. We’re going through an energy crisis, a cost of living crisis. People are striking every other week. No one wants to hear about the poor old Premier League manager.”

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