Chelsea boss Potter: Conte always in touch with tips - though not lately!

Posted Sunday, February 26, 2023 by Tribalfootball.com

Chelsea boss Graham Potter has revealed how Antonio Conte would make contact when he was in charge of Brighton.

The Blues boss says Conte — who won the title and FA Cup at Chelsea — reached out offering advice to him as a young coach forging his path.

Potter said: “I spoke to him when I was at Brighton and we've had conversations.

“We have kept in contact from a distance. He's someone I've admired a lot as a coach.

“I like how his teams are organised and then when you meet him, he's a gentleman.

“He has the passion but he has always been good to me.

“It was about doing your best today and not necessarily thinking too much about the future or the past.

“It was something that was on his WhatsApp message.

“I think it was when they beat us — he didn't send any when we'd won!"

Conte won't be involved for Tottenham on Sunday as he recovers from gallbladder surgery.

On copying the Tottenham manager's fiery touchline presence, Potter said ahead of their derby: Antonio has had an amazing career and I have huge respect for him as a coach and also as a man — I really like him.

“I'll be missing Antonio and I wish him a speedy recovery.

“Do I respect his fiery side? Absolutely, yes. Because he is himself and I don't look at how he is and look down on him in any way.

“Anyone who is a different person to me, I don't think, 'Oh, I'm better than them', because that totally isn't true.

“The best person to be Antonio Conte is Antonio Conte. The best person to be Graham Potter is Graham Potter. That's just how I see it.

“Everyone is different and you can't help who you are. That's just life.

“Of course, you can play a role and you can do stuff but you have to be yourself. However, it isn't nice then when people start to criticise you for being you — because I can't help being me."