Report: 52-year-old PL manager helped keep Graham Potter in the job at Chelsea, Boehly listened to his words

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Graham Potter may have only stayed in his role at Chelsea for as long as he did because of Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola, according to reports.

Graham Potter, 47, was sacked by Chelsea a couple of days ago to end his seven-month stint at Stamford Bridge.

The Englishman certainly had some obstacles in his way. For example, he had to try work with a ridiculously oversized squad of first-team players. However, there can’t be too much defence for a win ratio of just 39 per cent across all competitions.

The Times suggests Potter may have been sacked earlier if not for Guardiola.

It is understood that Chelsea’s owners were influenced by Guardiola’s praise for Potter in January, which may have had an impact on their decision to keep him for a while longer.

Speaking after Man City’s 4-0 FA Cup win over Chelsea in January, Guardiola told Sky Sports: “I would say to Todd Boehly, give him (Potter) time. I know in the big clubs the results are important but give him time.”

Boehly and the rest of the Chelsea ownership listened carefully to Guardiola, whose regarded as one of the sport’s finest ever manager.

However, we feel Potter’s time has ended in West London at the right time.

According to The Telegraph, the final straw for Boehly was seeing Chelsea slip into the bottom half of the Premier League table under Potter.

It was a really disappointing 2-0 defeat at home to Aston Villa on Sunday. Next, the Blues play another league game at home tonight, this time against rivals Liverpool.

Potter earned a glowing reputation for what he did it Brighton, but he’s taken a backwards step after just over half a year in West London.

We still think he could be a strong appointment in the future for a mid-table Premier League side. Unfortunately, the Chelsea job was too much at this period of his career.