Graham Potter confirms board talks after Southampton defeat

Chelsea manager Graham Potter has confirmed he held talks with the Blues board in the aftermath of the 1-0 defeat to Southampton.

Fan support of Potter is dwindling following the loss to the Premier League’s bottom side, with significant calls from supporters to move on from the former Brighton boss after the game ended with a chorus of boos.

Potter later held talks with the Chelsea hierarchy about his future and the boss confirmed he retains their support.

“Yes, I’ve spoken to them and it’s the same as it’s always been,” the boss explained. “There has always been support.

“I’ve been under pressure here for four months from you guys. Have you spoken to the owners? Do you have their support? That continues and they’ve been great, brilliant. They also see where we’re at but at the same time are frustrated because the results are what they are and we have to do better.”

Potter went on to confess that he has plenty of supporters to win over but vowed to do so by winning matches once again.

“Supporters, rightly so, are upset because we lost at home to Southampton,” he continued. “Supporters care and when they are upset, they let their feelings be known and we expect that. It would be naïve to not think that is a fair response.

“I’ve had a lot of support from the supporters as well and while everyone would agree we’re not happy with the current situation and position, there are a lot of people who recognise where we’re at, what’s happened, and what the challenges have been for us. In the meantime, I know there isn’t anything I can say – if they are against us, – with us. The solution is that we have to win matches.

“If you are Chelsea and lose 1-0 at home to Southampton, who are bottom of the league, then you expect fans to be critical and voice their criticism. That’s fair, there is no point in me saying that isn’t right. That is completely OK.

“Then it’s about how we analyse the situation we’re in now, how we analyse this season, are their factors that bring us to this point, and then we have to consider those as well. As I said, you’ve got to hold both positions. Results haven’t been good enough, defeat at home to Southampton isn’t good enough, and you’re entitled to be angry. My response is there are contributing factors to that result as well.

“I’m not here to convince [fans], my actions have to convince them, the team has to convince them, we’ve got to win matches. There is nothing I can say.”