Mateo Kovacic said that Chelsea players must take full responsibility for Potter’s sacking, who was axed on Monday after a series of disappointing results.
The Croatian underlined that the squad mustn’t hide behind the decision, as it is “much easier to sack a manager than 30 players”.
The London team managed to win only 12 games out of 31 across all competitions under Potter’s management. Last weekend’s 2-0 loss to Aston Villa seemed to be the last straw for Potter’s hopes as he was given the sack from team owner Todd Boehly.
‘We need to be honest with ourselves. In the end it’s easier to sack a coach than 30 players, but it’s on us as well, we need to do better,’ Kovacic told Sky Sports.
‘We have to say thank you to Potter who was here who did a good job but it’s not easy when there are many changes here so it was a tough situation for him as well.’
After Potter’s departure Chelsea made a surprise swing for Frank Lampard, appointing him as an interim manager until the end of the season. The 44-year old has already been at the Chelsea’s hotseat for an year and a half, having been given the sack back in January 2021.