GRAHAM POTTER CLAIMS MANAGING CHELSEA IS ‘HARDEST JOB IN FOOTBALL’

The management of Chelsea, according to manager Graham Potter, is “probably the hardest job in football.” While trying to save their season amidst an injury crisis and after a summer of radical change in all areas, he claimed that he is not looking for sympathy.

Despite a change in ownership in May when a consortium led by Todd Boehly completed a 4.25 billion pound ($5.17 billion) takeover and restructured the club, Potter claimed expectations at Stamford Bridge had remained high.

With only one victory in its last eight games, Chelsea has dropped to 10th place in the Premier League and has been eliminated from both the FA Cup and League Cup. This is due in large part to the expensive transfer business that the club engaged in last year.

It’s challenging, stimulating, and absurdly difficult. Before Chelsea’s Thursday match at Fulham, Potter said, “I think it is probably the hardest job in football because of that leadership change and the expectations because of, rightly, where people see Chelsea.

“Perhaps we’re not there yet in terms of the club establishing itself as a well-managed football club that performs well in a really competitive environment.

“I obviously didn’t anticipate that we’d lose 10 members of the first team” (to injury)… I also recognize that as the team’s coach, I am responsible for our failures.

During Sunday’s 4-0 loss at Manchester City, Chelsea supporters sang the names of former owner Roman Abramovich, who oversaw unprecedented success during his nearly two decades in charge, and Potter’s predecessor Thomas Tuchel.

“I don’t want sympathy. I feel incredibly fortunate and grateful to be here, said Potter. This club was successfully run in the same manner for 20 years. I greatly admire the previous owners and what they accomplished.

“We need to rebuild things… A new era and chapter have begun. We’re experiencing some pain. It’s challenging right now. I can relate to your frustration and value your encouragement.