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Football London
Football London
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Scott Trotter

Every word Bruno Saltor said on speaking to Graham Potter, Chelsea vs Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp

Your reaction to a crazy 24 hours and Graham Potter's departure and have you spoken to Graham?

I just spoke to Graham five minutes ago and he sent his regards to all of you. 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.

Given you arrived with Potter to Chelsea, was there any hesitation in your mind about taking on the interim role?

If I am here right now, it's because Graham and the club they 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.

On the statement Chelsea released, it said Graham would collaborate to facilitate a smooth transition, what does that mean?

It probably means that I'm here right now. Just trying to keep the process going and 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.

READ MORE: Julian Nagelsmann has already told Chelsea why he would be the perfect Graham Potter replacement

Reaction of the players and how much responsibility do they feel they should take?

I couldn't see the players yet. We've got an afternoon session planned, I'm going to see them now. I'm going to speak to them. The responsibility is all of us. We are responsible and we have to keep it positive, try to focus on the next game and that's the energy we're working will

Have you spoken to the owners, board members, sporting directors and are you ready to go until the end of the season?

I spoke to them, they've been very supportive. What I'm focused on is tomorrow, train today, tomorrow's game then after that, step by step.

Have you been thrown in at the deep end or is it a free hit?

First of all it is a sad day. A sad day for staff because Graham and Billy leaving, two top coaches, top people, top human beings. How I see it is, I have to be the most professional I can. Try to help the players, guide the players to prepare the game the best we can.

How easy is it to do this on a game-by-game basis? Big games coming up?

It's really important to focus just day by day, how much we can effect everyday, what we can control. What we can control is how we train today, how we play tomorrow and after we say how it goes.

What do you expect players reaction to be?

They will be sad as well because they know the level of human being that Graham is. They will take responsibility as they have done since day one. I just expect them to be next to us and supportive.

Big names? Would you like it?

This is something I can't control. I am just focusing on what I can control and going day by day.

How have last 24 hours been for you and family?

I can't. I can't do it. It has been really difficult, really difficult at every single level, especially emotional. Obviously you have to deal with the press conference, have to deal with the players and it is hard. The relationship with Graham and Billy, it is difficult to deal with that and how it affects the families. As I said a really difficult 12 hours (24).

Preparation for Liverpool?

Seeing it as an opportunity for the players. We are representing Chelsea. A club with an amazing history, it is about winning, it is about dominating and what we need to do is prepare for the game.

Preparation helps a lot for performance and that is what the players need to focus on.

What do you make of Jurgen Klopp?

Obviously pure admiration towards Jurgen. I cannot say anything that everyone doesn't know. Obviously they are going through a tough season as well but they've got top players and we're expecting a really aggressive game, high intensity and we need to be ready.

Spoke to Graham five minutes ago, what did he say?

He's just been really supportive. More the call was to say hello to all of you.

Four years in coaching? How big a challenge is this?

Obviously it is a massive challenge. I have been just four years coaching but I have been 20 years involved in football. I start really early and I have a lot of experience in changing room. What I will try to do is help the players, guide the players because I have been in those situation before. Then I think I have got that feeling that I can help, especially young players that have never been in this situation before.

Expect big changes?

I don't have to give any clues to Liverpool but I think as you saw the (Aston Villa) game. We dominated the game and as everyone knows we lost the game. There were a few mistakes, but overall I think it was a good performance. We had a lot of chances and are going to try to keep as close as we can.

Any team news?

No, same news as last week.

Scott Trotter and Bobby Vincent discussed what happened to Graham Potter and what is next for Chelsea on the latest edition of the View from the Bridge podcast

READ NEXT:

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Julian Nagelsmann has already outlined Chelsea job intentions after Graham Potter sack decision

Julian Nagelsmann would have serious Chelsea advantage after club sack Graham Potter

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Who is Bruno Saltor? Chelsea's unlikely manager with Real Madrid task as Graham Potter sacked

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