Bruno Saltor revealed that Graham Potter called him just five minutes before he met the media in a sombre mood as Chelsea’s new interim head coach.
The Blues sacked Potter on Sunday night but Spanish coach Bruno, 42, stayed on to lead the team into a huge match against Liverpool on Tuesday.
Speaking at a press conference held before his first training session without his long-term boss, the former Brighton captain revealed the kind words sent to him by Potter.
“I just spoke to Graham five minutes ago and he sent his regards to all of you,” Bruno said. “Obviously it’s been a difficult 24 hours for all of us, for the staff, for the families and now we just have to deal with the situation.
“It’s a sad day for staff because Graham and Billy [Reid, Chelsea's assistant manager] leaving, two top coaches, top people, top human beings.
“If I am here right now, it’s because Graham and the club thought it was the right step and I’m here just trying to help the club and trying to be the most professional I can.
“We just try to go along the best we can and I think Graham did an amazing job. Football is a really complex business and we have to keep going.”
Bruno said that Chelsea’s players will be sad to see Potter leave, adding: “They will be sad as well because they know the level of human being that Graham is.”
Bruno added to Chelsea’s statement from Sunday to explain that he will coach the team on a “step-by-step” basis after speaking with the owners.
“I spoke to them, they’ve been very supportive,” he continued. “What I’m focused on is tomorrow, train today, tomorrow’s game then after that, step by step.”
That approach could see Bruno remain in the dugout not just to face Wolves over the weekend but also for a Champions League quarter-final tie away at Real Madrid.
