Potter faces a “very different challenge” without changing his method

Graham Potter, who will make his debut as Chelsea coach tomorrow in the Champions League clash against Salzburg, insisted today that he will face a “different challenge” but will do so in the same way as in his career in coaching despite the far-reaching media spotlight.

At 47, Potter takes on his most important managerial role to date, starting at Östersund for seven years (2011-2018) before a brief spell at Swansea City (2018-2019) and another very prominent one at Brighton & Hove Albion since 2019, which led to him being hired by Chelsea as a replacement for Thomas Tuchel.

England manager candidate

Potter’s methods at Brighton enhanced his reputation, but the level of expectation at Chelsea will be a new experience for a man shaping up to be England’s future manager.

“You have to look at the club, the tradition, the quality, competing in the Premier League and the Champions League, it’s a completely different challenge than the one I had,” Potter admitted today in his first press conference since when appointed as coach last year. Thursday. from Chelsea.

“I’m very, very excited, as you can imagine, and really looking forward to starting,” said an excited Potter.

An acclaimed communicator

Asked if working with a wardrobe full of figures would change his approach, Potter said he would rely on his widely praised communication skills.

“It’s strange, but I approach it like I have every job and every football club with the utmost respect for every environment, every context,” the England manager said.

“I know it’s a different environment, but ultimately we’re working with people. So it’s about understanding them, treating them with respect, getting to know them,” he continued. “There are all kinds of narratives, that the best players are this and the best players are that, but in my experience, people are quite complicated. People have egos, they have different something else that challenges them and that’s what makes this job so appealing.”

Kudos to Chelsea’s owners

Only a week ago Potter was manager of Brighton. “Things happened very quickly. I had some intense conversations with the owners and I quickly realized that, first of all, they are good people, smart people, who have been successful in their lives outside of football and want to achieve something. really exciting here.

Potter knows he has moved out of his “comfort zone” but brushes off any suggestion he risks signing for Chelsea.

“If you walk on the road, it’s a hazard,” Potter said. “I left England when I was 30 years old and went to a club (Swedish Östersund) that had sacked the manager every year for the last five years.

After the Premier League was suspended last weekend due to the death of Queen Elizabeth II, Potter has had little time to prepare for his Chelsea debut and the Champions League, a competition in which he has yet to participate. “It’s an amazing night for us, for all of us it’s exciting.”