Graham Potter has vowed to stay true to himself as Chelsea manager, insisting he does not need to change his personality to succeed in his new surroundings.
The Englishman takes charge of the Blues for the first time in the Premier League this weekend, as his side make the trip to face Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.
Potter was in the dugout for Chelsea’s draw with RB Salzburg in the Champions League before the international break, his typically low-key demeanour on the touchline a stark contrast to the exuberance of Thomas Tuchel.
That is unlikely to change despite the size of the job Potter now holds, with the 47-year-old content to stick with the quiet confidence that has seen him succeed first at Ostersund and then at Swansea and Brighton.
When quizzed on whether he wanted to go back on a previous comment that he would never be a “sexy” coach, Potter replied: “I sincerely hope not, would be my instinctive answer.
“I very rarely feel sexy! If you ever have any success or you’re trying to do anything, you have to be true to yourself, I think.
“And I’m not saying that I’m right or wrong or anything like that, I have to be me. And part of being me is a little bit of self-deprecation.
“I’m intelligent enough to know that I started off below the bottom tier, and after a process of trial and error and a lot of hard work, luck and help from other people I’ve got to this point.
“And that’s a fantastic achievement and something I’m really proud of. But at the same time I’m a human being, certainly not perfect and don’t think I’ve cracked anything or have all the answers.”
After taking the Chelsea job, Potter reflected on his journey from Swedish side Ostersund to the Premier League as he admitted he could never have imagined making it so far when he first started out as a manager.
Ahead of Saturday’s match against Crystal Palace, he revealed his focus now is on winning trophies at Chelsea rather than any trips to the local car dealership.
“We haven’t moved, our lifestyle hasn’t changed,” said Potter of himself and his family. “We’re not in an open-top car driving round Brighton and Hove, or Surrey or Cobham or anything.
“There’s no Lamborghini on order, I’m still driving the same car that I picked up in England when I returned from Swansea. So my life hasn’t changed at all if I’m honest.
“Brighton does have a lovely training ground, and in some ways equal if not better in terms of the facilities.
“But what we have here is a history, and recognition, photos of people winning major trophies. And that’s the main thing. That’s where the expectation, or the pressure, the difference is.
“It’s not about facilities, it’s about people and understanding the difference in the context of this football club. Managers, top players, legends, trophies; that’s the difference.
“But at the same time I’m intelligent enough to know, I think, and aware enough of my own personality that I’ve got the capability to achieve here. And I think if other people have done it then it’s possible for me to do it.
“And I think that’s quite a good way to think about the challenge.”
