Graham Potter’s return to Stamford Bridge as West Ham manager on Monday night came with a subtle yet telling moment. After watching his side surrender a 1-0 lead in a 2-1 defeat to Chelsea, the former Blues boss sat down for his post-match press conference—only for a microphone to pick up a candid remark: “I don’t miss being in here.”
Potter’s tenure at Chelsea was nothing short of a disaster. Appointed in September 2022, he lasted just seven months before being sacked in April 2023, winning only 38.71% of his matches. His reign became toxic, with reports of players giving him “unflattering nicknames” and fans regularly chanting the name of his predecessor, Thomas Tuchel.
The pressure wasn’t just professional—it turned personal. Potter later revealed he had received death threats aimed at him and his family.
“I’ve had emails telling me they want me to die and want my kids to die,” he said before his dismissal. “Your family life suffers, your mental health suffers, your personality—it is hard.”
Now back in the Premier League with West Ham, Potter’s Stamford Bridge return ended in disappointment. But his quiet six-word remark made one thing clear—Chelsea is a chapter he’s more than happy to leave behind.