Graham Potter Thread

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Graham Potter: ‘Frustration and anger’ over Chelsea sacking but no regrets taking the job

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5798766/2024/09/27/graham-potter-Chelsea-sacking/

Graham Potter says there was “frustration and anger” over the way his Chelsea tenure ended but he does not regret taking the job.

Potter was dismissed seven months into a five-year contract in April 2023 after Chelsea paid a £20million buyout clause to bring him to Stamford Bridge from Brighton & Hove Albion the previous September. Brighton subsequently qualified for the Europa League under his successor Roberto De Zerbi.

The 49-year-old was the first head coach appointment of the Todd Boehly-Clearlake Capital regime and he was tasked with overhauling a squad in transition following a spend of over £500m across the first two transfer windows under the new ownership.

He won just seven of his 22 Premier League matches and the timing of his dismissal denied him the chance to lead the side against Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-finals.

“I worked really, really hard to get that type of opportunity,” Potter told the Telegraph. “It was about choosing the right opportunity (after the job done at Brighton). And I didn’t choose the wrong one, it just didn’t work out.

“I don’t have any regrets over doing it, but, at the same time, when anybody loses their job, there’s an element of frustration, anger and maybe bitterness at some point.”

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Chelsea spent £300m in January but won just four games across all competitions in 2023 before Potter was dismissed. He said he understood the large transfer outlay brought a demand for results but patience was needed when signing an influx of players from outside the Premier League. Big money additions Enzo Fernandez, Mykhailo Mudryk, Benoit Badiashile and Noni Madueke all joined from elsewhere in Europe.

The Athletic reported that the squad was so bloated, some players had to change in the corridor and sit on the floor during team meetings.

“If you spend £300m, the pressure on the team goes up.” he added. “If I’d have spent it on Harry Kane and Declan Rice, then fair enough, but at the time that was the decision.”

Potter has been out of management since leaving Chelsea 17 months ago but multiple openings have come his way. The Athletic reported in June Brighton were considering hiring him for a second spell in charge after De Zerbi’s departure. He said it had not been the correct moment to re-join to the south coast club but did not rule out returning in the future.

In May, Potter declined the opportunity to take the Ajax job as he felt the opportunity was not right for him at the time. He was also considered a candidate for the England position after Gareth Southgate stepped down following the European Championship earlier this summer. Potter said while international management was not off the table, he preferred the day-to-day routine of the club game.

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