EKO HOT BLOG reports that Bruno Saltor, the interim coach of Chelsea, has spoken about the difficulty of the past 24 hours following the sacking of former coach Graham Potter and his assistant coach, Billy Reid. Potter and Reid were dismissed on Sunday, just a day after Chelsea lost 2-0 to Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge.
BrunoSaltor, who had been a member of Potter’s backroom staff since his days at Brighton, was immediately named as the club’s interim manager.
The former Valencia and Brighton defender spoke to the press ahead of the Premier League game against Liverpool at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday, April 4. Saltor said that the departure of Potter and Reid had affected everyone at the club, and described the situation as “really difficult, at every single level, especially emotionally.”
He went on to say:
“You have to do the press conference, you have to deal with the players – it’s hard. My relationship with Graham and Billy, and how it affects families – it’s difficult to deal with that. It’s a sad day for the staff because Graham and Billy are two top coaches and top human beings. I have to be as professional as I can and try to help and guide the players. I’m just focusing on what I can control and going day by day.”
Potter left Chelsea 12 points away from 4th placed Manchester United with just 10 games left to play before the end of the season. Saltor’s responsibility now is to ensure the team doesn’t fall below the eighth spot and possibly push the club up the Premier League table.
Speaking on the challenge ahead, Saltor said:
“The responsibility is all of ours. We have to keep it positive and focus on tomorrow’s game. That’s the energy we’re working with. I see it as an opportunity for the players. We’re representing Chelsea, a club with an amazing history, and it’s about winning, about dominating.
“It’s a massive challenge. I’ve had just four years of coaching but have been involved in football for 24 years. I’ve got a lot of experience in changing rooms, and what I’ll try to do is help and guide the players because I’ve been in those situations before.”
If Chelsea fails to appoint a permanent coach before the end of the season, Bruno Saltor would not only have the responsibility of qualifying Chelsea for next season’s European football, but he would also be tasked with taking Chelsea beyond the quarter-final stage of this season’s UEFA Champions League.
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