Potter’s dismissal sad for everyone at Chelsea – Interim Coach Bruno Saltor

Chelsea caretaker manager Bruno Saltor says it has been a “difficult 24 hours for all of us” following the dismissal of Graham Potter. 

Potter and his assistant Billy Reid exited the team on Sunday after only 31 games of superintending the affairs of the club. 

Bruno Saltor was also part of Graham Potter’s coaching staff at Brighton and he moved to Chelsea with his then boss in September. 

The former Brighton defender speaking on Potter’s exit said: “It’s been really difficult, at every single level, especially emotionally

“You have to do the press conference, you have to deal with the players, it’s hard.

“My relationship with Graham and Billy, and how it affects families, it’s difficult to deal with that.

“It’s a sad day for the staff because Graham and Billy are two top coaches and top human beings.

“I have to be as professional as I can and try to help and guide the players. I’m just focusing on what I can control and going day by day.”

When Chelsea established the changes, they put out a statement, an excerpt of which reads: Potter has “agreed to collaborate with the club to facilitate a smooth transition”.

🗣️ "I'm here to try and keep the process going"

Chelsea interim manager Bruno Saltor says he has been put in charge to 'collaborate to facilitate a smooth transition'. pic.twitter.com/Hb4q4QjK0e

— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) April 3, 2023

Questioned on what that statement implies, Bruno Saltor said: “It probably means that I’m here right now, trying to keep the process going. We’re just trying to collaborate as best we can.

“Graham did an amazing job. Football is a really complex business and we have to keep going.”

Chelsea are 11th on the Premier League table

Potter was fired with the Blues occupying the 11th spot in the Premier League following the club’s 2-0 home loss to Aston Villa on Saturday. 

Chelsea are 12 points away from the top four with only 10 games still left in the current campaign, starting with Tuesday’s game at Stamford Bridge against Liverpool. 

Bruno Saltor said he had spoken to Potter after his dismissal

The Spaniard stated he had discussed with Potter and Chelsea’s owners and that they are “really supportive”.

He added: “The responsibility is all of ours, We have to keep it positive and focus on tomorrow’s game. That’s the energy we’re working with.

“I see it as an opportunity for the players. We’re representing Chelsea, a club with an amazing history, and it’s about winning, about dominating.

“It’s a massive challenge. I’ve had just four years coaching but been involved in football for 24 years. I’ve got a lot of experience in changing rooms, and what I’ll try to do is help and guide the players because I’ve been in those situations before.”

Bruno Saltor takes sole responsibility of a side for the first time in his career as he has previously been an assistant to former Brighton gaffer Graham Potter since he retired from football at Brighton in 2019.

He is the unlikely man who has been handed the mantle of leadership to take charge of Chelsea until the owners of the club appoint a permanent successor.