Speaking to the media ahead of the next game (h/t Guardian), Chelsea boss Graham Potter talked about how the pressure on the job has affected his mental health and family life.
Potter has constantly been under high pressure since taking over the job at Stamford Bridge. The initial pressure revolved around preparing the team to play games every three days.
Since the World Cup though, the pressure has mounted on his position at the club. Results have not been good and the team is struggling for any sort of rhythm and consistency.
Here’s what Potter said when touching upon this topic and how it is affecting him (h/t Guardian):
“The same every week. That’s just part of life at Chelsea. And then you have to accept the fact that when the results are like they are, you have to accept criticism. That should come and that’s fair. The mood in here has always been relatively positive and respectful. But that’s not to say it’s easy at all. Your family life suffers, your mental life suffers, your personality … it’s hard. But you’re not really bothered, eh? It’s just how it is.”
While you can feel sorry for a person who has to go through a lot when operating at such a high level, there needs to be a perspective as well.
Football management at an elite level is one of the highest-paid jobs in the world. With that sort of money comes responsibility and pressure. So, if a manager is earning a big cheque, he/she needs to know that accountability will take place at a sterner level.
We are talking about Chelsea in this instance, a club that backs itself to challenge for major honours every season. They are nowhere near winning anything this time around.
In fact, the form is rotten, to say the least. Potter’s men have won just two of the last 14 league games. They are 11 points behind fourth-placed Tottenham Hotspur and out of both the domestic cup competitions. Winning the Champions League can only be considered a dream.
Despite all of that, Chelsea owners have decided to back the manager. This should make him happy that he is being supported by the group of people responsible to make decisions at the club. If there are any mental issues, we hope it gets sorted out soon.
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