Graham Potter has opened up on the unacceptable abuse he has received because of Chelsea's poor form, which has included emails wishing death on him and his children.
A run of two victories in 14 Premier League matches has resulted in Potter coming under heavy scrutiny and increased pressure. Countless supporters inside Stamford Bridge called for him to resign in the wake of the 1-0 defeat to Southampton while offensive criticism on social media has become incessant.
"It's a challenge," Potter explained this afternoon. "If you go to work and somebody is swearing abuse at you, it’s not going to be pleasant – or if you’re referred to as the worst person in the history of the club. You can say, ‘oh I don’t care’ but you know I’m lying because everyone does care what people think because we are hard-wired to be socially connected.
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“I want to succeed here. It's nonsense the notion I don’t care. People have a perception that I don’t care and my response is what is that based on? How do you know? I would ask you to ask my family how life has been for me and for them. It has not been pleasant at all."
The Chelsea head coach continued: “When you are in private, you show real emotion with your family. My job is to act how I think I should act in the best way for the team and the club, and act with the integrity that is right for me. I never want to be anybody else. I don’t want to be fake. I will be me and I will do my best. If my best isn’t good enough ok I accept that."
Potter remains grateful for the opportunity handed to him by Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali in September. He is also firm in his belief he can get Chelsea back on track in what has proved a testing season for the club both on and off the pitch. Yet he isn't emotionally impenetrable.
He said: "I spoke with David Moyes about it; there's a point to it to be considered but I think you need to be very careful. The world is tough for everybody. We’re going through an energy crisis, a cost of living crisis, and people are striking every other week. Things are difficult so nobody wants to hear about the poor old Premier league manager.
"Nevertheless, when you ask me questions: ‘Is it hard? Is it tough? Is it nice to hear?', as much as I’ve had support, I’ve had some not particularly nice emails come through that want me to die, want my kids to die. Obviously, that's not pleasant to receive.
"If you’re asked about it for four months, are under pressure for four months, and are under pressure because you guys need to sell stuff, what do you expect in the end? If we don’t get the results then obviously that’s what happens. That’s football. That’s how it is.
"The challenge for me is, ‘Ok, how do I conduct myself’? That’s what I always turn to. The higher you go, the more pressure you have on how you are as a person."
It's understood Chelsea are providing Potter and his family full support – and any action deemed appropriate will take place if the Chelsea head coach desires. For now, he will continue to work hard to improve the club's form.
"We are all grown-ups and know the situation and the challenges we have," he said. "You are going to get criticism and it is absolutely understandable. But if I can come in here and be a normal human being, then in six months’ time or six years’ time I can look back and say, 'I performed my role well there under really difficult circumstances' and I can be proud of that."
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