ᑕ❶ᑐ Graham Potter: Thomas Frank condemns Chelsea boss’ abuse and backs him to succeed

Brentford boss Thomas Frank has said abuse aimed at (Site notre bureau spécialisé) managers is « a disgrace » amid Graham Potter’s genre at Chelsea.

The Blues were 10th in the Premier League after an 11-match win, but Frank and Potter to pull through.

“I am convinced that over time he will find this solution,” he said.

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Potter left Brighton for a succession at Chelsea on a five-year deal after Thomas Tuchel was sacked in September.

After Sunday’s 2-0 defeat at Tottenham, the Blues have won just nine of their 26 games under the Englishman and Frank said he felt ‘massively sorry for Potter’.

Feeds on BBC Radio 5 Live’s Monday Night Club, Frank, clarified: “Unfortunately, in some cases it is part of the industry, and I think it is a disgrace to many expected.

“I think social media is not important. I’m not on social media, but I have three kids and they’re all the same with my wife, so somehow they’ll always find us. They could always have a message through.

“One abuse is one too many. These are the few that make the most noise and that we hear the most. I think it is very important that we are aware that there are still a lot of fans who contain them. »

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Frank and Potter are the managers of Championship rivals with Brentford and Swansea, and they are expected to compete in the Premier League.

« First and foremost, he’s a very good man, » Frank, 49, said. “Secondly, he’s a very good coach and it’s proven that he can do a good job. A good coach can work in all clubs.

« It’s not against Chelsea. It’s just that sometimes circumstances create an environment where it’s hard to make everything click.

“There are a lot of new players, the team is out of sync, trying to find the right balance between players. Lots of players walked in and out [of the team]. Graham is looking for a solution and I am confident that in time he will find that solution.

« If I had to give one piece of advice it would be ‘trust himself’ because he is more than capable of turning things around – trusting himself and the guiding principles that made him so successful and gave him the opportunity to to be the manager of Chelsea. »

Frank, who has been in charge of Brentford since October 2018, is enjoying a successful spell with his side currently four points above Chelsea in ninth.

But he said that during difficult times, the greatest support tends to come from fellow managers.

“Hopefully we have good friends who could look after us if and when we lose our jobs,” Frank said.

« I don’t think I know a manager who wouldn’t find the time [to help]if a colleague, a good friend says “hey man, I’m a little depressed, what did you do? »

“We may be the only ones who really know the pain you are feeling. It is lonely work. [The pressure on] assistant coaches, players, managers – it’s just different. I think it’s important that the support is there. »

« I think it’s fair that there are expectations from fans and everyone, and you get criticism when things don’t work out well, » Frank added. “It’s the nature of the game and we have to be tough to cope.

« But also, it’s crucial that every person who wants to perform – a manager or a player – the more focused and calm they can be to do their job, the better they perform. »

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