Chelsea boss Graham Potter has admitted that his job is under threat ahead of Saturday’s Premier League clash with Leeds United.
Since beating Crystal Palace 1-0 on January 15, Chelsea have endured a six-game winless run in all competitions, and they are currently sat in 10th place in the Premier League table – 14 points adrift of the top four.
Last weekend, the Blues were beaten 2-0 by London rivals Tottenham Hotspur, which represented their third consecutive defeat following previous losses to Southampton and Borussia Dortmund.
Although the Chelsea hierarchy have kept faith in Potter, they are facing ever-growing calls to part company with the former Brighton & Hove Albion manager.
Speaking ahead of Saturday’s Premier League game at Stamford Bridge, Potter has conceded that his position in the Chelsea dugout is under threat.
Potter told reporters: “When you are a head coach and you start on this journey you say well if the results aren’t good enough then you know your job is in peril. That’s the life we lead.
“I just have to accept that and do my best and try to improve the situation we are in until there is a point where we are not able to go forward. But that hasn’t been the case and we keep fighting.”
The 47-year-old was then asked whether he felt that he had the support of the Chelsea squad following the club’s poor run of form.
“Yes, yes I do,” he replied. “When you’ve had the results we have had clearly it is not perfect otherwise you would have better results.
“Clearly it is a process of how to get our message across better. How can we structure things in a way to help the players because that is what we are here for.
“When results aren’t good, from my point of view you have to accept that we haven’t done it well enough. Now that’s the reality we are in and I am sure the players will take responsibility and admit they can do better as well.
“We are in it together. I don’t feel any loss of anything. I feel the support of the players, I feel the support of everyone here.
“I understand the frustrations externally but among the players, it is a desire for us all to do better and that is the pleasing thing. The results haven’t been good but we are still fighting for each other.”
After facing Leeds on Saturday, Chelsea will turn their attention to the second leg of their Champions League last-16 tie against Dortmund, which could have a significant bearing on Potter’s future.
Chelsea will need to come from behind if they are to progress to the quarter-finals after losing 1-0 in Germany following a second-half strike from Karim Adeyemi.
