Potter reveals mental anguish of being Chelsea manager and what he needs for West Ham success

Robin Bairner

• 14 Feb 2025 05:20 CST
• 3 min read

Graham Potter has spoken about the mental health struggles that he endured during his time at Chelsea and how it will make him more successful at West Ham United.

Hammers manager Potter was appointed as Blues boss in September 2022 after Thomas Tuchel was swiftly sacked by Todd Boehly.

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He rolled into Stamford Bridge after a highly successful period with Brighton and, prior to that, Swansea. Things did not go nearly as well with the London club as he failed to last the season amid a wretched run of results that saw him record just 12 wins from a possible 31.

“At the time you can imagine I wasn't in a good place because you are disappointed to lose your job and it hasn't gone very well, or clearly as well as you'd like,” he told the BBC.

“It was a tough moment.”

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Potter was asked what he would say to himself should he revisit the situation, which he thinks ultimately made him better as a person and a manager.

“Everything will be OK,” he said, when considering the advice he would give.

“I think it makes you better, it makes you a stronger person, it makes you a better coach.

“The worst that can happen is you can lose your job and you can still be alright, you can still move forward, still have something to offer, still grow as a person.

“That bubble we're in, it can be a little too far down the rabbit hole. Be grateful for the good and the bad, just deal with it.”

Potter wants time at West Ham

With just one win in his first five matches at West Ham, Potter has learned not to panic about the situation.

“You don't want to be that coach that asks for time, but that's ultimately how you improve,” he said.

“In the end it's not some magic gimmick, it's not some clever culture programme, it's time.

“The more good and bad situations you go through, you build a trust and understanding of each other.

“It's still the Premier League and the competition is still the competition. It's unrelenting and it's demanding.”

The Hammers had been enduring a difficult campaign before Potter’s arrival, with the decision to allow David Moyes to leave last summer and replace him with Julen Lopetegui ultimately one that backfired.