‘It doesn’t come for free’ – Graham Potter reveals shock reason for 18 months of unemployment since Chelsea axe

GRAHAM POTTER has admitted he deliberately took himself out of the limelight for 18 months after being sacked by Chelsea last year.

Potter returned to football fans’ screens for the first time since he left Stamford Bridge in April 2023, joining Sky Sports’ MNF coverage for Bournemouth vs Southampton.

During the build up to the match he was quizzed on why he hasn’t returned to management after being sacked by the Blues – despite links to a number of top clubs.

Asked if his decision to step back has been a deliberate one, he revealed: “It has to be honest, yeah.

“I spent some time with the family, [to] connect with them after a 12-year journey which has started in the fourth tier of Swedish football and ends in the last eight of the Champions League.”

Potter started his professional career with Swedish club Ostersund, leading them through three promotions from the fourth tier to the Europa League.

He then secured jobs with Swansea City and Brighton, where he earned his big move to Chelsea in 2022 – taking the Blues to the Champions League quarter-finals before he was sacked.

Potter admitted that, although impressive, the journey was gruelling and a break was somewhat necessary afterwards.

He added: “It’s a journey that doesn’t come for free and it’s nice to be able to spend some time with family and connect with them.

“Then see what the future brings”.

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The former Leeds Beckett University coach went on to open up on how he coped with his sacking, having seen constant growth in his career up until that point.

He explained: “Of course it’s disappointing. It’s never nice when you lose your job in any walk of life.

“But in the end I think you have to treat it as a learning experience. You have to treat it as an opportunity to grow and improve.

“I’m grateful for the opportunity that I had and I’m grateful for the experience. It was tough, it was challenging but there were some highlights as well.

“Like I said, it’s about putting it into perspective, not trying to blame yourself completely but not trying to blame everybody else either.

“It’s about finding the balance, reflecting and coming back stronger“.

Coming back stronger could be the next order of business for the 49-year-old with rumours still swirling about his next job.

Potter has been linked with the permanent gig at England, although interim boss Lee Carsley seems to be a shoo-in after the start he has made in the nation’s hot seat.

While consistent links with the Manchester United job could rear their head again with Erik ten Hag under mounting pressure at Old Trafford after the Red Devils’ 3-0 trashing at the hands of Spurs on Sunday.