Graham Potter and Thomas Frank interview each other live on Amazon before to Brentford v Chelsea and it’s just made for superb viewing.
The Blues boss and Bees manager took the unusual step of talking live on TV before their teams drew 0-0 on Wednesday night – and the idea, seemingly from the broadcaster, went down a treat with fans.
Chelsea continued their unbeaten run since new boss Potter took over from Thomas Tuchel, but they dropped two points at the Gtech Community Stadium – and arguably the most entertaining moment came prior the game begun.
Appearing on Amazon Prime Sport’s pre-match show, Potter and Frank joined host Simon Thomas and pundits Gianfranco Zola and Rachel Brown-Finnis to preview the fixture.
Have you ever seen two managers interview each other pre-match? You have now! 😅
Watch Brentford take on Chelsea live https://t.co/XBvNsMnOae#PLonPrime #BRECHE pic.twitter.com/Ow58EM6FUx
— Amazon Prime Video Sport (@primevideosport) October 19, 2022
Thomas started off by saying: ‘It’s not too often we have both managers joining us before a big game ahead of kick off. But while we’ve got you – Thomas, I don’t know if this is fair or not but if you could ask this man [Potter] one question, what would it be?’
Frank laughed when admitting he had been put on the spot, before praising his counterpart – and then cheekily asked why he always changes formation, giving fans an insight into his thought process.
‘First I would praise Graham a lot,’ he began. ‘It’s a fantastic journey he’s been on and I’m so happy a coach who has been walking the long way gets a chance at a top six club and I think Graham has showed his qualities hugely and I’m sure he’ll do a great job at Chelsea.
‘If I could ask him one question – why are you changing the formation so many times?’
The group all began laughing before Potter responded: ‘Good question!’
He then goes on: ‘Well changing the formation – we don’t see it as the end goal, it’s about how the team is playing. The team needs to look consistent no matter what the formation is.
‘Then it’s about the personnel, how you want to attack, defend – these are the things we consider. Hopefully there’s things that look the same even though the shape changes.’
Potter was then asked if he had a question of his own – with the ex-Brighton boss asking Frank the biggest difference between the Championship and the Premier League.
The Bees boss answered that the main thing he noticed was the pace of the game and that teams are much more clinical in the top flight.
The move from Amazon Prime to get both managers together went down a hit with fans – many dubbing it ‘refreshing’ and others wanting to see it more often by other broadcasters.
One fan also joked he now wants to see Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp go up against each other next.
The draw at Brentford ended Potter’s winning run since taking charge but kept his side unbeaten under his management as they stayed in 4th position.
The hosts had the best chances to win the game – with Bryan Mbeumo missing a great chance with a point blank header, which was saved by Chelsea keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga.
Player ratings
Brentford: Raya (8), Jorgensen (7), Mee (7), Pinnock (8), Roerslev (7), Henry (7), Onyeka (7), Janelt (7), Jensen (7), Mbeumo (6), Toney (7).
Subs: Dasilva (6), Wissa (6), Baptiste (6), Ghoddos (n/a).
Chelsea: Arrizabalaga (8), Azpilicueta (7), Chalobah (7), Koulibaly (7), Loftus-Cheek (7), Mount (5), Jorginho (6), Cucurella (6), Gallagher (5), Broja (5), Havertz (6).
Subs: Kovacic (6), Pulisic (7), Sterling (6), Chukwuemeka (6), Aubameyang (6).
Man of the match: Kepa Arrizabalaga
Brentford boss Thomas Frank: “I’m very proud of my team. I just simply love the attitude, work ethic and intensity. I thought we were brave, cool and aggressive throughout the game. The lads are disappointed we didn’t win.
“Eighteen months ago, on almost the same night we were promoted, they won the Champions League final. It wasn’t an OK performance where maybe we could’ve sneaked a late goal. No, we fully deserved it.
“It was unbelievably impressive what we produced. I’m very pleased with my team, and disappointed we didn’t win. We knew they could change different formations and build it up in different ways – we looked down to close down every aspect and we’re working on how we can press teams. This game was more difficult as I told the players they would have to make changes throughout the match.
“In this game, I felt it was generally 3-4-3 throughout the match but they changed personnel. I thought we handled it well.”
Chelsea head coach Graham Potter: “I think over the course of the game a point was fair. They had chances, we had chances.
“We pushed and pushed at the end. We probably looked more likely at the end to score, but at the same time, over the course of the game, a point was about right
“They make it very difficult for you to control. They do what thy do really well, use the front two, set pieces, long balls into the box. But I have full respect for them and how they do that.
“The positives are a clean sheet and a point. That’s four points from two away matches, which is positive. When we did control it, we did it well. It’s a point and we have to move on.”
This is what fans said as Graham Potter and Thomas Frank interview each other and it’s just superb viewing…
@RicciAshoori: Well, I am loving this scenario going forward. Shame Jose and Arsene aren’t here now
@saflegend: That was unique and superb.
@KN_201p: Prime Video does the best premier League coverage. Less ads, more analysis and not afraid to do things slightly different like the above content. Shame they only cover 20 games a season
@NathDaniels10: Absolutely love this from Prime. Big fan of their coverage
@mattywatson911: Quality 👏🏻
@wmlxb05: Amazon have got this coverage locked, every game every goal is fantastic. Graphics spot on. Innovation pre match. The coverage is the coverage, but it looks so professional
@Ry4nH07: Quite re-freshing to be fair, football constantly gives off the message of being very insular and impenetrable. Open discussion, seeing they are just normal people in a unique position most would give their right arm to be in. Should happen more often
@Footballtilley: That’s quality 👏🏻 ⚽️
@LozzieInTheDam: Love this… hopefully it’s something we’ll see more often. Klopp and Pep would be 🍿
@WnderThinkLearn: Brilliant coverage for all the games
@marksmith1973: Top stuff great tv prime should get more games
@marccrown10: This is brilliant, both fantastic questions and fascinating answers!
@georgerothwell9: Best overall experience (pundits, commentary) watching games on Prime but games over a minute behind live time will still always be the major problem!
@rhodajewell: Really enjoyed this exchange. Gives the viewer a different dynamic and a refreshing honesty whilst educating those who enjoy the game 👏
@DavidSchroder: We need more content like this. Most interview questions are banal, so it’s good to see two managers ask more intellectual questions to each other.
@Nidster13: That’s pretty sick! Would have been great to see Ferguson-Wenger–Mourinho-Pep-Klopp go at each other before the game 😂

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