Chelsea to stand by under-fire manager Graham Potter as the club seek to replicate Arteta success
Chelsea are sticking by under-pressure boss Graham Potter as they look to replicate Mikel Arteta’s success at Arsenal.
Potter’s tough start to life at Stamford Bridge plummeted to new depths on Saturday following a home defeat to bottom of the table Southampton.
Some supporters have turned on the former Brighton manager with Chelsea having won just twice in 14 matches.
However, the club’s co-controlling owners Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital remain behind Potter despite the team’s clear difficulties on the pitch.
Having sacked Champions League winning head coach Thomas Tuchel, the appointment of Potter was always with a view to implementing a long-term philosophy.
It is noted within the club’s hierarchy that Arsenal faced vociferous calls to sack Arteta last season but the Gunners continued to back their manager.
The north London club’s faith has been rewarded with Arsenal now top of the Premier League going for their first title since 2004.
And there is a sense that Potter should be allowed time to enforce his own principles on their expensively assembled squad, in the same way Arteta was backed, before he should be judged.
Chelsea’s American owners have invested significantly into Potter’s vision for the club, recruiting a number of administrative and recruitment staff from Brighton who are aligned with their current head coach’s way of thinking.
Indeed, the prospect of dismissing Potter now would raise serious questions over those backroom appointments just months into their restructuring.
It remains to be seen, however, how much their loyalty to Potter will be tested if results don’t improve in the short-term.
Qualifying for the Champions League is not believed to be a pivotal factor with regards to Potter’s future.
But if Chelsea, who are winless in their previous five, don’t climb the table soon then the pressure on Potter will intensify heading into the final weeks of the season.
