Bees boss Frank has sympathy for Potter

Brentford boss Thomas Frank says he feels great sympathy for Graham Potter following his sacking by Chelsea.

Frank, who praised Chelsea for taking a chance on Potter when they paid Brighton £21m in compensation for him and his backroom staff in September, said his axing was a reminder of the ruthless nature of the Premier League for managers.

“Graham didn’t really have the time to put his stamp on the job,” Frank said.

“But what it shows is the manager’s job in the Premier League is highly pressurised, stressful for every manager and can affect their personal and family life.

“Of course we choose to take the job so if you don’t like that or don’t want to be exposed to it then don’t get in.

“Every time a manager goes into a new job you think ‘I am so good, nothing can go wrong’. But you can never predict what will happen, there is luck, margins, injuries.

“We don’t expect people to feel sorry for us, but understand the pressure.

“Players are under pressure and can get a lot of abuse on social media and from the fans.

“But at most stadiums around the world, it is the manager the fans are singing about and not the players when they are disappointed but that is part of it.”

Frank, who experienced the sack when he was dismissed by Danish side Brondy in 2016, said he reminded his staff not to take their positions for granted after hearing of Potter and Brendan Rodgers’ sackings on Sunday.

“It was a good reminder of all of us at Brentford as to how privileged we all,” he said.

“I know it is my head that will be cut if results don’t go well but if the manager gets the sack.

“We need to appreciate we are doing well, but that can all change on Wednesday night if we have a bad night at Manchester United.”