Graham Potter reveals mental health has suffered due to death threats
Chelsea head coach Graham Potter has opened up on how he and his family have been the subject of death threats due to the club’s recent rocky form.
The Blues have won just one of their last 10 games and face an almighty task of toppling London rivals Tottenham on Sunday afternoon.
Potter has been criticised for failing to get more out of his talented, if not extremely bloated, squad. Speaking ahead of this weekend’s trip to Spurs, he revealed that it hasn’t been an easy time for him.
“I’ve sat here for four months answering questions about pressure. When the results are like they are, you have to accept criticism. But that’s not to say it’s easy at all. Your family life suffers, your mental life suffers, your personality…it’s hard,” Potter began.
Regarding suggestions that he isn’t necessarily passionate or angry enough on the touchline, he continued: “If you go to work and somebody is swearing at you it’s not going to be pleasant. If you’re referred to as the worst person in the history of the club. Everyone does care what people think. We’re hard-wired to be socially connected. I want to succeed here. There’s this nonsense I don’t care. My response would be ‘Where’s your evidence on that?’
“Not that I’d let you do it, but you can ask my family how my life has been for me and for them. It’s been not pleasant at all. I understand. Supporters go home and they’re really annoyed because the team aren’t winning but I assure you my life for the last three or four months has been fairly average, apart from the fact I’m really grateful for this experience.
“I spoke with David Moyes about it [mental health awareness in management]. There’s a point to it but I think you need to be very careful. The world is tough for everybody. We’re going through an energy crisis, a cost of living crisis. People are striking every other week. Nobody wants to hear about the poor old Premier League manager.
“Nevertheless if you ask me: ‘Is it hard, is it tough, is it nice to hear?’ – as much as I’ve had support, I’ve had some not particularly nice emails come through that want me to die and want my kids to die. That’s obviously not pleasant.
“But if you’ve asked about it for four months – for four months I’m under pressure, I’m under pressure, I’m under pressure, because you guys need to sell stuff – what do you expect in the end? And if we don’t get the results then obviously that’s what happens. That’s football. You know there’s a problem when the email that has been sent is from Potterbastard@gmail.com.
“You suffer, and you get upset. When you’re in private you show real emotion with your family. My job is to try and act how I think I should act the best way for the team and for Chelsea. And act with an integrity that is right for me. I never want to be anybody else. I don’t want to be fake. I’ll be me. I’ll do my best and if my best isn’t good enough, OK.”
Source: 90mins
