The Englishman has disclosed the mixed emotions that emerged after his dismissal at Stamford Bridge.
Graham Potter has opened up about his departure from Chelsea, expressing a mix of "frustration and anger" at how his tenure ended.
However, the former manager maintains that he doesn't regret accepting the challenging position.
Potter was dismissed from his role at Stamford Bridge in April 2023 after a disappointing seven months in charge, despite signing a five-year contract.
This abrupt end came after the Blues paid a hefty £20 million buyout clause to secure his services from Brighton & Hove Albion.
Potter’s Chelsea challenges
The 49-year-old coach was the first managerial appointment under the new ownership of Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital, where he was tasked with the monumental challenge of restructuring a squad in transition following a massive £500 million spending spree across the first two transfer windows.
Unfortunately, Potter struggled to deliver the desired results, managing to win just seven of his 22 Premier League matches.
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The timing of his dismissal was particularly disheartening as it denied him the opportunity to lead the team 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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Potter acknowledged the immense pressure that accompanied the club's significant investment in new players.
"If you spend £300m, the pressure on the team goes up," said the English manager.
He also highlighted the need for patience when integrating numerous players from outside the Premier League, referring to big-money signings like Enzo Fernandez, Mykhailo Mudryk, Benoit Badiashile, and Noni Madueke.
“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.”
The squad's size also posed logistical challenges, with reports suggesting that some players had to change in the corridor and sit on the floor during team meetings.
Potter’s future plans
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Despite his difficult exit from Chelsea, the English manager has remained in demand, reportedly declining the opportunity to manage Ajax, stating that the timing was not right for him.
He was also considered for the England national team job to replace Gareth Southgate who left the Three Lions after their Euro 2024 disappointment.
While he has not ruled out a potential return to Brighton in the future, Potter is currently focusing on finding the right opportunity to continue his managerial career.