Chelsea needs to keep moving ahead one step at a time after the sacking of manager Graham Potter, interim coach Bruno Saltor said as he bids to engineer a turnaround in fortunes for the Premier League club.
Potter was dismissed on Sunday after a string of poor results left the expensively-assembled team 11th in the Premier League.
Saltor, who coached at Brighton & Hove Albion under Potter before following him to Stamford Bridge last year, took charge of the London club as interim coach after the Englishman’s departure.
He will face a stern test in his first game in charge on Tuesday at home to eighth-placed Liverpool, who sit four points above Chelsea.
“If I’m here right now it’s because Graham and the club thought it was the right step. I’m just here to help the club in the best way I can,” Saltor told reporters.
“I’m here right now, trying to keep the process going. I think Graham did an amazing job. Football is a really complex business and we have to keep going,” the Spaniard added.
“I couldn’t see the players yet. We have an afternoon session planned. At the end of the day all of us are responsible, we have to focus on tomorrow’s game and that’s the energy we’re working on. (The players) will be sad as well...
“I spoke to the owners, they’ve been supportive. I’m focused on training today, match today and afterwards step by step.” Chelsea’s managerial position has been the subject of much discussion over the past 24 hours, with Julian Nagelsmann, Brendan Rodgers and Luis Enrique among the names linked with the job.
Asked if he could emerge as a candidate for the role, Saltor said; “It’s something I can’t control. I’m focusing on what I can control and going day by day.
“It’s a massive challenge. I’ve been coaching just four years but 24 years involved in football, a lot of experience in changing rooms, trying to help players, guide players because I’ve been in those situations before.”
Chelsea next face a Liverpool side who have lost their last three games in all competitions.
“I have pure admiration towards Juergen Klopp,” Saltor said. “They are going through a tough season as well but they’ve got top players and we’re expecting an aggressive game, high intensity.”
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