Graham Potter accepts results have left his job ‘in peril’ as Chelsea’s board are SPLIT over future
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Chelsea are divided over the future of manager Graham Potter, as the under-pressure manager enters a crucial period that could define his future at the club and accepts that the results have left his job “in jeopardy”.
sports mail he understands that Potter is facing a struggle to convince certain figures in the club that he has the authority to reverse what has been a disastrous streak that leaves his future under a cloud.
Crucially, co-controlling owner Todd Boehly, widely recognized as the face of Chelsea’s new regime, is believed to be among Potter’s most behind-the-scenes supporters and, at least for the moment, believes that a boss change would set the development of the team back.
Boehly heads a consortium that, along with US investment firm Clearlake Capital, bought Chelsea for £4.25bn last year.
The Boehly-led consortium also includes Swiss businessman Hansjörg Wyss and Mark Walter, co-founder and CEO of Guggenheim Capital.
Chelsea are divided on the future of manager Graham Potter as he enters a crucial period
Crucially, co-owner Todd Boehly (left) is believed to be among Potter’s strongest supporters.
The Chelsea hierarchy turned to Potter in September after conducting a 100-day review of the club following its takeover and deemed the former Brighton boss the ideal candidate to replace Thomas Tuchel and lead their long-term project.
Boehly acknowledges the difficulties created by the large number of changes being implemented to the playing equipment and the general operation of the club and feels that Potter should be given more time.
However, that level of commitment to Potter is not a universal opinion at Stamford Bridge with doubts emerging from other areas of the club.
The win against Leeds on Saturday will help take the pressure off Potter ahead of Tuesday’s decisive Champions League round of 16 second leg against Borussia Dortmund.
However, two negative results could leave Potter in jeopardy and raise concerns about the former Brighton boss’s suitability following a run of two wins in 15 matches.
Potter said: “When you’re a head coach and you start this journey, you say ‘well, if the results aren’t good enough, then you know your job is in jeopardy’.” That is the life we lead.
“I just have to accept that and do the best I can and try to improve the situation we’re in until there comes a point where we can’t move on.” But it hasn’t been like that and we keep fighting.’
Sportsmail first revealed the problems caused by Chelsea’s squad size this week following the nearly £600m spree in new players and sources have reiterated those issues ever since.
But there has been some skepticism about the way Potter has dealt with some tough times this season, with the owners’ unequivocal endorsement of his first managerial appointment now showing signs of faltering.
There are also mixed feelings among the Chelsea squad. Potter is said to have made a positive impression tactically and with the way he presented himself as a person when he arrived.
However, while it doesn’t make sense that Potter has lost the support of his players – a sentiment he says he also has – or that they doubt him as manager, concerns have been raised as Chelsea’s season has progressed over whether he has shown enough strength. of personality. to stop the skid of the team and stamp his mark on the club and the dressing room.
Meanwhile, all the uncertainty surrounding the club has also impacted performances.
Potter said of his stars: ‘They want to do better, they do. They care, they don’t want to have the results we have. There is a feeling that it is close. The feeling that we can take some steps, but talking is one thing, we have to show it on the pitch, we have to see it on the pitch.”
Chelsea have won just two of their last 15 league games and have struggled to recover from setbacks such as falling behind, something that may prove fatal for Potter if it happens again when Leeds visit Stamford Bridge and will certainly make the atmosphere even more negative than it is. likely it is.
Two negative results against Leeds and Borussia Dortmund could leave Potter in danger
Chelsea’s first-team squad has increased to 31 players after eight signings in January
Potter said of his new team: ‘It’s not because they’re not trying, it’s not because they lack character. It’s because they’re trying to find a way together, this is a team that’s been shopped together for a couple of windows.
“There’s quite a significant change, so in terms of a strong team, it’s hard to get it at this point and sometimes when you need to go through those tough times, that part isn’t there.”
“And that’s where we have to continue to work with the team and why we continue to have these moments together because sometimes that’s how you get strength from them.”
Former Barcelona and Spain manager Luis Enrique has already been tipped as a potential replacement for Potter, but insiders have suggested there is currently no interest in the 52-year-old.