“Chelsea Sack Was Blessing In Disguise” – West Ham manager

West Ham Manager Graham Potter believes his dismissal from Chelsea was “maybe the best thing that happened” to him.

On Monday at 20:00 GMT, he will return to Stamford Bridge with the Hammers for his fourth Premier League match since taking charge in January.

Chelsea fired Potter in April 2023, less than seven months after he replaced Thomas Tuchel, who had also been sacked. Despite the abrupt end to his tenure, Potter harbors no resentment towards the club and views the experience as a learning opportunity.

“In football, you will experience highs and lows,” said the 49-year-old, who won 12 of his 31 matches with Chelsea across all competitions.

 “I didn’t want to lose my job, but looking back, maybe it was the best thing that happened to me. Perhaps the next 10 to 20 years will be great because of what I learned from that period.”

Potter emphasized his gratitude for his time at Chelsea and maintained positive relationships with many at the club.

“I see it as a learning experience. I have no hard feelings towards Chelsea. I still have good relationships with people there. But now, I’m fully focused on my journey with West Ham. It’s a great club, and I’m excited to connect with the supporters, work with the team, and build something we can be proud of.”

During Potter’s tenure, Chelsea spent over £550 million on new players, yet his stint at the club remained turbulent. He previously described his time at Stamford Bridge as a “perfect storm”.

Reflecting on the challenges, he noted, “Like everyone in life, you go through good and bad experiences. If you use them the right way, they make you better. That’s what I’ve done, and I’m grateful for the journey.”

Since Potter’s appointment, West Ham have collected four points from three matches. In their last game, they came from behind to secure a 1-1 draw against Aston Villa.

Currently, the Hammers sit 14th in the Premier League table with 27 points from 23 games, while Chelsea hold sixth place.