Chelsea have sacked Graham Potter as manager just under seven months since he took charge of the men’s first-team squad.
Potter’s move to Chelsea from Brighton in September came after Thomas Tuchel’s ruthless sacking by then-new owner, Todd Boehly, whilst Potter had enjoyed a strong start with Brighton to the season.
Chelsea though have struggled for large parts of the season despite topping their Champions League group, having won just seven of their last 21 matches in all competitions, which included a second leg win to come from behind to beat Borussia Dortmund in the Last 16 of this season’s Champions League.
A 2-0 defeat at home to Aston Villa yesterday (1 April) however proved the final straw as the club were left 12 points off a top-four finish and sat 11th in the Premier League, amidst a strong transfer window in January with signings like Joao Felix and Enzo Fernandez.
In a club statement, Chelsea confirmed that Potter has left his role as Manager but he ‘agreed to collaborate with the Club to facilitate a smooth transition.’
Chelsea went on to ‘thank’ Potter ‘for all his efforts and contribution and wish him well for the future.’
Co-controlling owners, Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali also issued a personal statement, in which they said: “On behalf of everyone at the club, we want to thank Graham sincerely for his contribution to Chelsea. We have the highest degree of respect for Graham as a coach and as a person.
“He has always conducted himself with professionalism and integrity and we are all disappointed in this outcome.”
Bruno Saltor will take charge as Interim Head Coach until further notice with the Blues next in action against Liverpool on Tuesday 4 April at Stamford Bridge, live on Sky Sports in the UK.
Boehly and Eghbali therefore has urged fans to back Saltor, as they continued: “Along with our incredible fans, we will all be getting behind Bruno and the team as we focus on the rest of the season.
“We have 10 Premier League games remaining and a Champions League quarter final ahead. We will put every effort and commitment into every one of those games so that we can end the season on a high.”
Potter’s departure also came just hours after Leicester sacked Brendan Rogers which means that a record 12 managers have been sacked during this Premier League campaign.
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