Graham Potter is now 1/4 to be the next Premier League manager to leave after being slashed into favouritism in the sack race following Chelsea's 1-0 defeat by Southampton on Saturday.
Potter says he understands Blues fans’ frustrations after a section of the Stamford Bridge support turned on him following the loss to the bottom side.
His Chelsea team left the pitch amidst anger and a chorus of boos at full-time, with some voices near the dugout calling for the manager to leave following what was surely the worst result of his tenure.
The hosts lacked cutting edge despite largely dominating possession against rock-bottom Saints (xG: CHE 2.00 - 0.79 SOU), and their expensively assembled line-up – featuring five January signings in the starting XI – had no answer to the organised, determined side put out by Ruben Selles.
Next Premier League manager to leave/sack race (odds via Sky Bet)
- Graham Potter - 1/4
- Gary O'Neil - 4/1
- Antonio Conte - 5/1
- David Moyes - 7/1
- Jurgen Klopp - 16/1
- No manager to leave - 18/1
- Patrick Vieira - 20/1
- Steve Cooper - 20/1
- Brendan Rodgers - 25/1
- Unai Emery - 33/1
Odds correct at 1900 BST (19/02/23)
As supporters left the ground seething with discontent, the manager acknowledged their right to feel let down by the team’s plight.
“When results aren’t going well, this is the world we’re in,” said Potter.
“There’s a transition and there’s factors, but at the same time there’s emotion and the team is losing. We’ve had the results we’ve had, and you can understand it.
“I’m not stupid, and I’m not naive. My job is to keep going, help the team, try and support them through a tough period. And to take the criticism.
“I think you can only be yourself. Try your best to be yourself. I get it.
"When you’re losing, there’s always something you can do or you can change. I’ve always been that way, it’s got me to this point. But I know that people want something different.”
The increased pressure on Potter in recent weeks is not only due to poor results but because of the level of backing the club's new owners gave during the recent transfer window, with Chelsea spending around £350m.
Heading into the weekend, the 47-year-old was the 3/1 third-favourite with Bournemouth manager Gary O'Neil (6/4) leading the market.
But a combination of defeat for the Blues by Southampton and a win for the Cherries at Wolves has seen Potter become heavy sack race favourite.
