Graham Potter joked that it was a 'crisis meeting' that made him late for the Chelsea press conference ahead of playing Tottenham on Sunday.
The Blues manager has been under pressure after the damaging loss to Southampton and has felt the brunt of fan frustration in the week leading up the London derby.
With one win in 10 games and currently working with the worst record of any Chelsea manager Potter is fighting to keep his job as a key run of fixtures come up. Starting with Tottenham away on Sunday, Chelsea then host historic rivals Leeds before the crunch Champions League last-16 second leg against Borussia Dortmund.
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It's three games that may well define his position as Chelsea boss but Potter did not let that get to him, opening the press conference with a witty joke.
As he walked in, only several minutes late, he said: "Sorry I'm late guys, I've just come out of a crisis meeting."
The moment of relief was greeted with a laugh from the reporters before he was then asked how it went. "Well, I'm still here," was the quick-witted reply.
Potter then went on to address more serious concerns about his future, adding: "There has always been support. I've been under pressure here for four months from you guys. 'Have you spoken to the owners? Do you have their support?' That continues and they've been great, brilliant. They also see where we're at but at the same time are frustrated because the results are what they are and we have to do better."
There will be a chance to silence some of these questions on Sunday, the game kicks off at 1.30pm at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
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