Chelsea sack Potter LIVE! Latest news, updates as search for next manager begins

Chelsea sack Graham Potter LIVE!

Bruno Saltor has today faced the media after becoming Chelsea’s interim manager, following the sacking of Graham Potter. The former Brighton defender steps up having been kept on at Stamford Bridge, only seven months after he joined Potter at the club.

Already the likes of Julian Nagelsmann and Mauricio Pochettino are emerging as contenders to become the Blues’ next manager, while Potter is being linked with the Leicester job. Whether Chelsea are able to find a new permanent boss before the end of the season or, like Tottenham, resort to a caretaker remains to be seen.

Chelsea’s ownership have spent £600million since taking over the club last summer but the home defeat on Saturday saw them drop into the bottom half of the league and 12 points off the all-important Champions League qualification spots, Follow all the latest from Stamford Bridge, including expert insight from Chelsea correspondent Nizaar Kinsella.

Next Chelsea manager: Latest news

• Bruno Saltor holds first press conference

• Contenders as Nagelsmann wants job

• Why Chelsea decided Potter had to go

• Latest next manager odds

• Who is interim coach Bruno?

Potter eyes summer return after rejecting Leicester for two key reasons

22:42 , Jonathan Gorrie

Graham Potter turned down the chance to manager Leicester City after being sacked by Chelsea.

The 47-year-old lost his job just hours after Brendan Rodgers left the East Midlands club following a last-minute defeat away at Crystal Palace.

He declined a swift return to management and cited the need for a break following a turbulent time in west London.

An unattractive early option to return to a club in a relegation battle was also a likely reason to for the former Brighton coach to say no.

The episode is a curious one given Potter and Rodgers share the same agent.

Read the full story here!

Chelsea forming four-man interview plan as squad sent Potter message

22:41 , Jonathan Gorrie

Chelsea’s players were addressed as a group before training by co-sporting directors Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart.

The pair sacked Graham Potter in a face-to-face meeting at Cobham just a day earlier and spoke to the players before the interim manager Bruno Saltor took training alongside coach Bjorn Hamberg.

They further explained why they decided to act after briefly speaking to the players on the phone just before the dismissal was made public through Chelsea’s social channels at 8.02pm on Sunday.

Winstanley and Stewart are also in charge of an extensive process to interview at least four candidates to replace Potter.

Julian Nagelsmann, recently sacked by Bayern Munich, and former Tottenham and Paris Saint-Germain manager Mauricio Pochettino are those expected to be contacted.

Read the full story here!

Gary Neville tells Chelsea who to appoint as next manager

19:57 , Jonathan Gorrie

Tottenham fans will not be happy...

Jamie Carragher: Todd Boehly made the RIGHT decision

19:39 , Jonathan Gorrie

While hardly a totally ringing endorsement from Jamie Carragher, the Sky Sports pundit said Todd Boehly was RIGHT to have sacked Graham Potter.

Gary Neville on Chelsea

19:35 , Jonathan Gorrie

“It doesn’t feel right, it doesn’t look right.”

Gary Neville has issued a damning verdict on Chelsea after the sacking of Graham Potter.

Graham Potter rejects Leicester job

17:51 , Jonathan Gorrie

According to talkSPORT, Potter has turned down an approach from Leicester following the sacking of Brendan Rodgers.

Graham Potter sacking a terrible look for Chelsea... Todd Boehly is playing Fantasy Football with no direction

17:18 , Jonathan Gorrie

Todd Boehly eventually demonstrated neither the patience he had promised Graham Potter nor the ruthlessness that might have saved Chelsea’s season.

Admittedly, Potter might have been sacked three or four times over by Roman Abramovich, but Boehly’s dismissal of the head coach on Sunday night, after 31 games in charge, proves his promises of time and backing for the 47-year-old were hollow.

Potter’s sacking reflects terribly on the ownership, suggesting Chelsea is a club with seemingly bottomless pockets but no clear sense of direction.

Read Dan Kilpatrick’s full analysis here!

Chelsea: Shearer slams ‘stupid’ and ‘ridiculous’ transfer policy as Potter sacked

16:38 , Jonathan Gorrie

Chelsea’s transfer policy has been described as “stupid” and “ridiculous” by Alan Shearer following Graham Potter’s failure to make the club’s excessive spending work on the pitch.

A whopping 13 first-team players were signed by Todd Boehly and Co over the season at a cost of around £600million to leave a bloated squad that the recently-sacked manager struggled to get a grip on.

As the club begins to search for a new manager, former Newcastle and England captain Shearer made clear his incredulity with how Chelsea handled Potter’s short spell in charge.

Kante returns

16:27 , Jonathan Gorrie

A big boost for Bruno is the return of N’Golo Kante.

The Frenchman came on against Aston Villa and will be available for Tuesday’s clash with Liverpool, having only been able to make one appearance under Potter.

Bruno reveals Potter call and how Chelsea stars will react to sacking

16:03 , Jonathan Gorrie

Bruno Saltor revealed that Graham Potter called him just five minutes before he met the media in a sombre mood as Chelsea’s new interim head coach.

The Blues sacked Potter on Sunday night but Spanish coach Bruno, 42, stayed on to lead the team into a huge match against Liverpool on Tuesday.

Speaking at a press conference held before his first training session without his long-term boss, the former Brighton captain revealed the kind words sent to him by Potter.

“I just spoke to Graham five minutes ago and he sent his regards to all of you,” Bruno said. “Obviously it’s been a difficult 24 hours for all of us, for the staff, for the families and now we just have to deal with the situation.

Read the full story here!

Chelsea team news

15:34 , Jonathan Gorrie

On the pitch, Bruno has some decisions to make.

The Spaniard will pick a team for the first time in senior football against Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool at Stamford Bridge and was evasive when asked about injuries ahead of the match, saying: “Same news as last week.”

Click here to read the full Chelsea team news ahead of tomorrow’s clash with Liverpool!

Chelsea: John Terry reveals interest in manager’s job despite being ‘done’ with career in dugout

15:28 , Jonathan Gorrie

John Terry has revealed that he would only be tempted back into management if he was offered a role at Chelsea.

Speaking shortly before Graham Potter was sacked by the Blues, the club legend discussed his future while currently working at the Stamford Bridge academy.

“I’m done from a managerial point of view,” he told Stephen Hendry’s Cue Tips.

“The only job I’d come out of my kind of retirement for would be the Chelsea job - to be involved in some capacity with a first-team role.

“I love my role at the minute, working with the younger players. Because I’ve been through that process as a kid myself I’m passing on my knowledge to them, having loads of conversations with them.”

Chelsea have been linked with Julian Nagelsmann and Mauricio Pochettino since dispensing with Potter’s services on the weekend.

Terry, 42, does not plan to undertake a career in management after leaving Aston Villa’s backroom in 2021 for family reasons.

He added: “I want to play golf and have family time. I’ve not really told anyone why I left Villa but it was a family reason, to come back home and be with them.

“I always see myself as a coach in the long-term but there were better coaches than me at Villa, Craig Shakespeare and Richard O’Kelly.

“I went for a couple of managers’ jobs when I left and didn’t get them, got a bit deflated so I came away and I’ve spent a bit more family time.”

Chelsea transfer news

14:41 , Marc Mayo

Away from Chelsea’s manager hunt, the club have agreed a deal for Ecuadorian wonderkid Kendry Paez from Independiente del Valle.

Standard Sport understand the 15-year-old will cost £17.5million and join in 2025 when he becomes eligible for a switch from South America.

Read the full story!

Video: Chelsea fans react to Graham Potter’s sacking

14:26 , Marc Mayo

Watch back Bruno’s press conference

14:04 , Marc Mayo

Roberto De Zerbi speaks out on Graham Potter’s sacking

13:53 , Marc Mayo

Over at the Brighton pre-match press conference, Roberto De Zerbi has thanked Graham Potter for his work on the south coast.

He said: “I'm sorry and it's bad news for the coaches. There is too much importance on coaches - players are the most important.

“I don't like it when coaches are sacked because responsibility is also on players and the clubs.”

Keep an eye out for tonight’s quotes

13:49 , Marc Mayo

Bruno has just been speaking to the written media, including our reporter Nizaar Kinsella.

Those quotes will be available later this evening - so keep tuned to Standard Sport!

That is that

13:41 , Marc Mayo

A tight, tidy press conference from Bruno Saltor where he refused to give too much away, focusing on the personal elements of Graham Potter’s exit.

Not much in the way of team news either, with the interim boss holding his first training session later on today.

Bruno on Graham Potter conversation

13:40 , Marc Mayo

“I spoke to Graham five minutes ago and he sent his regards to all of you.

“It has been a difficult 24 hours for all the staff, the families and now we have to deal with the situation.”

Bruno on Chelsea team news

13:39 , Marc Mayo

“I don’t have to give any clues to Liverpool but we dominated Villa, as everyone knows we lost from a few mistakes.

“But overall it was a good performance, we had a lot of chances and we’ll try to keep as close as we can.

“Same [injuries] as last week.”

Bruno on his job in the dressing room

13:39 , Marc Mayo

“It’s a massive challenge, I’ve been in football 24 years. I’ve got a lot of experience in changing rooms, I’ll try to help and guide players because I’ve been in these situations.

“I can help especially young players who’ve never been in these sitatuions before.”

Bruno on facing Liverpool

13:37 , Marc Mayo

“It’s an opportunity for the players, we’re representing the club with an amazing history.

“Preparation helps a lot, the players need to focus on that.

“Pure admiration towards Jurgen Klopp, they’re going through a tough season but they have top players.

“Expecting intensity, an aggressive game.”

Bruno on the sacking

13:36 , Marc Mayo

“It’s been really difficult at every level, especially emotional.

“You have to deal with the press, the players. It affects the families. It’s been a really difficult 12 hours.”

Bruno on wanting the job

13:36 , Marc Mayo

“It’s something I can’t control, I’m just focusing on what I can control and going day by day.”

Bruno on what’s next

13:34 , Marc Mayo

“It’s a sad day for the staff, Graham and Billy are leaving. Top coaches, top human beings.

“I have to be as professional as I can, and guide the players as best we can.”

Bruno on the owners

13:34 , Marc Mayo

“I spoke to them, they’ve been supportive. I’m focused on tomorrow’s game.”

Bruno on the players

13:33 , Marc Mayo

“I’m trying to keep the process going, we try to collaborate the best we can. Graham did an amazing job, football is a really complex business and we have to keep going.

“I haven’t seen the players yet, we have an afternoon session planned. We’re all responsible, we have to keep it positive, focus on tomorrow’s game.

“That’s the energy we’ll work with.”

Bruno on the last 24 hours

13:32 , Marc Mayo

“A diffcult 24 hours for all of us, the staff, our families.”

“Now we have to deal with the situation.”

Bruno Saltor press conference

13:31 , Marc Mayo

It’s almost time to hear from Chelsea’s interm boss...

Who is Bruno Saltor?

13:25 , Marc Mayo

Chelsea are putting their faith in the hands of a Brighton legend in Bruno Saltor.

The former right-back made over 200 appearances for the Seagulls after joining from Valencia in 2012.

Immediately after hanging up his boots, the joined the Brighton backroom staff and followed Graham Potter to Stamford Bridge seven months ago.

Read the full story!

No approach yet for Julian Nagelsmann

13:14 , Marc Mayo

Sky in Germany are reporting that Chelsea are still yet to make contact with Julian Nagelsmann or his representatives.

It has also been claimed that Bayern Munich have a right to compensation and a veto over the German manager’s next job - should he seek one before the summer.

Full list of contenders

13:05 , Marc Mayo

Julian Nagelsmann is not the only name being discussed at the Bridge as Chelsea plot their new manager hunt.

Find out who is on the potential shortlist!

Thomas Tuchel reacts to Graham Potter’s exit

13:01 , Marc Mayo

Bayern Munich’s former Chelsea bosss Thomas Tuchel has hinted at his lack of interest in Graham Potter’s exit following “massive” changes to the club since his own departure.

The Blues sacked Tuchel in September before a radical overhaul behind the scenes and in the transfer market.

He said: “I read the message last night.

“It took me a while to process my dismissal. The club has changed massively, so it affected me less.”

John Terry would be keen on Chelsea job

12:47 , Marc Mayo

John Terry has opened the door to a return to the Chelsea set-up.

Speaking shortly before Graham Potter was sacked by the Blues, the club legend discussed his future while currently working at the Stamford Bridge academy.

“I’m done from a managerial point of view,” he told Stephen Hendry’s Cue Tips.

“The only job I’d come out of my kind of retirement for would be the Chelsea job - to be involved in some capacity with a first-team role.

“I love my role at the minute, working with the younger players. Because I’ve been through that process as a kid myself I’m passing on my knowledge to them, having loads of conversations with them.”

Bruno Saltor press conference

12:39 , Marc Mayo

We’ll be bringing you live updates from Bruno Saltor’s press conference when he faces the media this afternoon.

It will be hugely interesting to hear what the interim boss has to say with Liverpool visiting Stamford Bridge tomorrow.

Managerial merry-go-round

12:32 , Marc Mayo

Chelsea hope to earn the advantage in what promises to be a big summer race for Europe’s top managers.

Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain and Tottenham are also set to be looking for new faces in the dugout with Carlo Ancelotti set to join Brazil and Christophe Galtier under threat.

Nizaar has filed an update on the Blues’ hopes behind the scenes after sacking Graham Potter.

Read the full story!

The contenders: Ruben Amorim

12:14 , Marc Mayo

Chelsea interviewed the Sporting CP manager before appointing Graham Potter last time out.

They believe the 38-year-old is an up-and-coming coach destined for the top.

He won three cups and one league title in his first three years coaching at the senior level and his Sporting side also knocked Arsenal out of the Europa League this season.

Jurgen Klopp reacts to Graham Potter’s sacking

12:06 , Marc Mayo

The Liverpool boss has been speaking to the media ahead of Liverpool’s clash with Chelsea.

When asked about Graham Potter and Brendan Rodgers’ departures, he said: “I respect them a lot, when I met them they were really good people - they are fantastic managers.

“But still things can go the wrong way and when the decision makers think they have to change, they change. We all accept that it’s part of the business. That’s it pretty much.

“It’s a strange week. Conte was last week, Nagelsmann... and now these two. The season gets to a decisive part and people are afraid of maybe not reaching their targets.

“For all four of those I just mentioned, their football future is still bright so it’s not a disaster, just a situation they probably won’t like. But it’s part of the business.”

The contenders: Luis Enrique

11:46 , Marc Mayo

The former Spain boss wants a Premier League job and has made no secret of his desire to work in England.

He won the treble at Barcelona and speaks English but his 'tiki-taka' style might not match going supporters' tastes.

He also has not managed a club since he left Barcelona in 2017.

A new job for Graham Potter?

11:28 , Marc Mayo

Graham Potter has quickly been installed as the favourite to take over at Leicester.

Brendan Rodgers’ sacking has meant a potential quick return to the Premier League is on the cards for the now ex-Chelsea boss.

William Hill have him as their 5/4 favourite ahead of Rafa Benitez (3/1), Steven Gerrard (7/1) and Thomas Frank (9/1).

Why Chelsea sacked Graham Potter

11:22 , Marc Mayo

Catch up with the reasons behind Todd Boehly and Co’s surprise decision to sack Graham Potter yesterday with Nizaar Kinsella’s look behind the scenes at Stamford Bridge.

Read the full story!

Bruno Saltor press conference

11:12 , Marc Mayo

Chelsea’s interm manager will face the media TODAY.

A pre-match press conference for Tuesday’s visit of Liverpool is scheduled for 1.30pm BST this afternoon - and you can follow it all right here with Standard Sport.

The contenders: Roberto De Zerbi

10:57 , Marc Mayo

Chelsea poached six other members of Brighton staff last year when they appointed Potter.

Could they return to raid the south coast club for another manager?

De Zerbi looks set to lead Brighton into Europe this season and has impressed with the job he has done since replacing Potter.

Brighton chief executive Paul Barber joked about Chelsea’s fascination with Brighton last month and said: “I told the cleaning staff to be careful, they may be headhunted as well.”

Alan Shearer lays into Chelsea recruitment policy

10:39 , Marc Mayo

Chelsea’s decision to load the squad up with £600million worth of players and then sack Graham Potter for failing to make it work has been derided by Alan Shearer.

The pundit told MOTD2: “Who on earth goes to a football club, pays over £20m for the manager and his staff, puts him on a five of six-year contract, on £10m-a-year, gives them a ridiculous amount of players with a stupid amount of money that’s been spent... and sacks him seven months later?

“It could only happen in football.”

The contenders: Mauricio Pochettino

10:27 , Marc Mayo

The former Tottenham boss was interviewed by Chelsea last year when he was runner-up in the process that led to the appointment of Graham Potter.

His work in building Spurs with young players does make him appealing to the Chelsea owners and he has experience of working in the chaotic of environment at Paris Saint-Germain.

Pochettino is, however, also in the frame for the Real Madrid job if they sack Carlo Ancelotti, which could scupper Chelsea and Spurs in their search for a new manager.

Jamie Carragher slams Todd Boehly

10:14 , Marc Mayo

The decision to sack Graham Potter has been dubbed “inevitable” by Jamie Carragher.

The former Liverpool defender made clear his feelings on social media following Chelsea’s decision.

“Todd said he would be different to Roman,” Carragher said. “I feel for Graham Potter, but it was inevitable.

“You don’t change Tuchel for Potter. Ridiculous decision to start with.”

The contenders: Julian Nagelsmann

09:58 , Marc Mayo

Our Chelsea reporter Nizaar Kinsella is naming his potential successors for Graham Potter, which we’ll run through this morning, starting with Julian Nagelsmann.

The 35-year-old would welcome an approach from Chelsea following his surprise sacking by Bayern Munich.

The prodigal coach wouldn't be a radical tactical departure from Potter, preferring possession football and high-intensity 'gegenpressing'.

However, unlike Potter, he is a fiery character and the type of personality that fans at Stamford Bridge enjoy. He understands Red Bull's multi-club model that Chelsea are trying to emulate after excelling at RB Leipzig.

Chelsea players ‘made Harry Potter’ jibes at manager’s expense

09:40 , Marc Mayo

Some Chelsea players were never too impressed by Graham Potter.

According to The Independent, stars made quips about Quidditch and pulled out wizarding references to describe their boss - even when things were going well.

It’s all a bit Riddikulus if you ask me...

Emma Hayes backs Chelsea decision

09:33 , Marc Mayo

Chelsea Women’s boss Emma Hayes has spoken of her regret at Graham Potter’s exit but insists she backs the club in their decision.

She said: “Obviously, I'm upset for Graham and the club too, I know everybody wanted to make it work.

“But if the owners feel they have to go in another direction, of course as always I support their decision. I wish Graham the best and know with 10 games left to play in the Premier League, I'm sure the boys will do everything to get us back on track."

“I'm a manager and I'm always gutted when managers lose their jobs. He's a top person and someone that you know, I'm disappointed and I haven't really quite digested it yet, having just heard the news.”

Another coach departs Chelsea

09:24 , Marc Mayo

Billy Reid has left Chelsea along with Graham Potter.

The assistant coach is the only one of the former manager’s backroom staff to follow him out the club, however.

New interim boss Bruno Saltor, first-team coach Bjorn Hamberg and recruitment analyst Kyle Macaulay all followed Potter over from Brighton but they are all staying put at Chelsea, for now.

Read the full story!

Odds move in favour of Julian Nagelsmann

09:02 , Marc Mayo

A big tilt towards the German taking charge of Chelsea as William Hill move him to their 1/3 favourite.

Mauricio Pochettino nowhere to be seen now, back at 12/1, with Luis Enrique second favourite at 11/2.

Brendan Rodgers is third on the list, at 7/1.

Graham Potter’s final words as Chelsea boss

08:55 , Marc Mayo

Following chants of ‘you don’t know what you’re doing’ from Chelsea fans in the defeat to Aston Villa, Graham Potter responded by attempting to quell supporters’ anger.

It turned out to be his final words as manager of the Blues.

He said: “I understand when you lose at home, the emotion of the game is such that people are going to be disappointed and frustrated and angry. Where we are in the league table, no one’s happy with. Whatever criticism comes I have to accept.

“We got into some good opportunities from an attacking perspective. We won the ball back high. We had a one v one with [Mykhailo Mudryk] a couple of times. But it’s an error for the first goal. Whenever there’s an error there’s always something you can do better.

“We’ve got no time to feel sorry for ourselves. We have to respond. We have to prepare for another big game.”

Marco Silva emerges as contender

08:32 , Marc Mayo

West London rivals Fulham could be about to get an approach from Chelsea for Marco Silva.

According to the Mirror, the Portuguese boss is admired by some inside the Stamford Bridge hierarchy and is on their list of potential new managers.

Silva has done a fine job with the Cottagers, winning last year’s Championship before a potential European football bid back in the top flight.

At least he wouldn’t have to buy a new house...

What Julian Nagelsmann has already said about Premier League job

08:26 , Marc Mayo

Back in February 2021, Chelsea target Julian Nagelsmann spelled out his interest in eventually joining the Premier League while in charge of RB Leipzig.

He said: “The Premier League is a very interesting league and I can imagine it could be a big aim to be a big manager in the Premier League one day, like Jurgen who is very successful.

“It could be a step in the future. But, you know, in soccer it’s not that easy to plan, ‘How long will you be a manager in Leipzig? When will you go to the Premier League?’.

“I could imagine going to the Premier League. I could imagine staying as a manager in the Bundesliga for my whole career. It’s cool to be a manager in my own country. I love it. But then perhaps in the future we can meet face-to-face in the Premier League, who knows.”

Next Chelsea manager odds

08:07 , George Flood

So who will replace Graham Potter at Chelsea?

Here are the potential replacement odds from Betfair:

Julian Nagelsmann 10/11

Mauricio Pochettino 7/2

Zinedine Zidane 6/1

Pep Guardiola 17/2

Oliver Glasner 10/1

Ruben Amorim 10/1

Luis Enrique 11/1

Diego Simeone 12/1

Brendan Rodgers 12/1

Thomas Frank 12/1

Jose Mourinho 14/1

Marcelo Bielsa 14/1

John Terry 20/1

Carlo Ancelotti 20/1

Jesse Marsch 20/1

Why Chelsea’s owners decided Potter had to go

Sunday 2 April 2023 23:52 , Giuseppe Muro

In the end, Chelsea’s owners felt they had no choice but to dispense with the man they chose to lead their new era at Stamford Bridge.

Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali indicated they wanted to break from the hire-and-fire culture under Roman Abramovich by handing Graham Potter a five-year contract when he was appointed in September.

They gave a £12million-a-year deal to someone who Boehly said “fits our vision”, and vowed to support him through a rebuild they calculated would most likely be painful.

Boehly and Eghbali do not believe sustainable success will come from regularly changing their head coach. They had resisted calls for Potter to be dismissed in recent weeks and wanted to give him time to turn the situation around.

But they could not wait for him to come good and growing concerns behind the scenes have led to another brutal Chelsea sacking.

Read here why Chelsea’s owners decided Potter had to go.

Potter assistant departs

Sunday 2 April 2023 23:12 , Giuseppe Muro

Billy Reid has left Chelsea with Graham Potter, reports Nizaar Kinsella.

Assistant coach Bjorn Hamberg and Kyle Macaulay from the recruitment team are still at the club with Bruno Saltor.

Nagelsmann wants Chelsea job - but there’s a catch

Sunday 2 April 2023 22:07 , Alex Young

Julian Nagelsmann is interested in the Chelsea job after Graham Potter was sacked, reports Nizaar Kinsella.

Nagelsmann is out of work following his departure from Bayern Munich last month and the 35-year-old German is a leading candidate to take over at Stamford Bridge.

There has been no contact between Nagelsmann and Chelsea at this stage.

While Nagelsmann is understood to be keen on joining Chelsea, it is not clear whether he will want a proper break before considering offers.

It is understood he would be keen to wait until the summer before deciding his next move.

Read more here.

Sunday 2 April 2023 21:51 , Alex Young

What was Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s reaction to Graham Potter’s sacking?

Well, he ‘liked’ the official announcement. Could mean something, probably means nothing.

Nagelsmann ‘reluctant to take job now'

Sunday 2 April 2023 21:47 , Alex Young

Chelsea may have their work cut out to convince Julian Nagelsmann to become their news manager before the end of the current season.

Graham Potter's dismal tenure was ended on Sunday, less than seven months into a five-year deal, as the Blues hierarchy looked to salvage a dire season. Todd Boehly reportedly wants Potter’s permanent replacement in place for the Champions League quarter-final against Real Madrid in 10 days' time.

Nagelsmann has already emerged as the frontrunner to succeed Potter but is currently on holiday and, according to Gianluca Di Marzio, would rather wait until the summer before embarking on his next job.

Sunday 2 April 2023 21:34 , Alex Young

Chelsea told the squad of Graham Potter’s sacking as the rest of the world were also finding out via the press release, reports Nizaar Kinsella.

The reason being to help avoid any early leaks, which appears to have worked as Chelsea were the first to break the news, which is uncommon in this day and age.

All focus will now be sure to be on Liverpool on Wednesday. A big clash just got bigger.

Sunday 2 April 2023 21:27 , Alex Young

Jamie Carragher isn’t impressed - or surprised!

Sunday 2 April 2023 21:23 , Alex Young

There is no immediate successor lined up by Chelsea to replace Graham Potter, unlike when Thomas Tuchel was given the boot.

Recently sacked former Bayern Munich manager Julian Nagelsmann, 35, is among the frontrunners to be appointed in west London. He has a connection to the new regime through sporting director Christopher Vivell, who he worked with at RB Leipzig.

Who is Bruno Saltor?

Sunday 2 April 2023 21:18 , Alex Young

Bruno Saltor has been named Chelsea interim head coach following the departure of Graham Potter.

Potter was sacked after Saturday’s 2-0 home defeat to Aston Villa and Bruno will take charge of the team for Tuesday’s Premier League game at home to Liverpool.

Bruno joined Chelsea when he moved to Stamford Bridge from Brighton along with Potter last September.

The Spaniard is a Brighton legend, having made 235 appearances during a decade at the south coast club.

Read more here.

Sunday 2 April 2023 21:12 , Alex Young

Graham Potter was less than seven months into a five-year contract, but he will not get the whole contract paid up, reports Nizaar Kinsella.

He will still be due a sizeable pay off, though. Even more outlay for the ownership.

Sunday 2 April 2023 21:04 , Alex Young

Graham Potter left after face-to-face talks with Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart at Cobham, reports Nizaar Kinsella.

The decision was made by the sporting directors but with the unanimous backing of the board. The search for a new manager now begins.

Damning statistics

Sunday 2 April 2023 20:51 , Alex Young

Graham Potter leaves with the third-worst win percentage of any Chelsea manager in the Premier League era, at just 31.8 per cent. That damning.

He oversaw 22 league games, saw his team score just 21 goals and went goalless in nine of them. That’s even more damning.

Chelsea are on course for their lowest finish since 1996.

Why did Chelsea sack Potter?

Sunday 2 April 2023 20:46 , Alex Young

With 10 games left of the league season to play, Chelsea decided to act, writes Nizaar Kinsella.

The board has backed Graham Potter strongly since his appointment in September, but are now desperate to arrest a decline that sees them trying to avoid their lowest league finish since 1996.

Potter and his team cost a record £21.5million to bring from Brighton and their early days were tough as he embarked on the worst start by any Chelsea manager in the last 30 years.

A draw to Everton and a defeat at home to Villa have seen a change of heart and a need for a change of direction.

It leaves Chelsea starting from square one having made Potter central to a project that saw them spend a world record £600m across the last two transfer windows.

Potter had previously described the job as the ‘hardest in football’ referencing how his squad ballooned to 32 players in January and describing turmoil behind the scenes following the summer takeover.

Over a dozen heads of departments have been removed and replaced, while a new sporting structure has only just been implemented that features four new sporting directors.

Chelsea next face Liverpool in the league and have Real Madrid to come in the Champions League quarter-final having been knocked out of both domestic cup competitions by Manchester City. A crucial few weeks lie ahead and Potter was deemed not the man for the job.

Latest next manager odds

Sunday 2 April 2023 20:38 , Alex Young

So, the search begins for who will replace Graham Potter.

Julian Nagelsmann, now a free agent after being sacked by Bayern Munich two weeks ago, is the clear frontrunner, with former Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino also being tipped for the job.

• Julian Nagelsmann 10/11

• Mauricio Pochettino 7/2

• Zinedine Zidane 6/1

• Pep Guardiola 17/2

• Oliver Glasner 10/1

• Ruben Amorim 10/1

• Luis Enrique 11/1

• Diego Simeone 12/1

• Brendan Rodgers 12/1

• Thomas Frank 12/1

• Jose Mourinho 14/1

• Marcelo Bielsa 14/1

• John Terry 20/1

• Carlo Ancelotti 20/1

• Jesse Marsch 20/1

Odds via Betfair.

Chelsea statement in full

Sunday 2 April 2023 20:34 , Alex Young

“Chelsea FC has announced that Graham Potter has departed the club. Graham has agreed to collaborate with the Club to facilitate a smooth transition. In his time with the club, Graham has taken us to the quarter final of the Champions League, where we will face Real Madrid. Chelsea would like to thank Graham for all his efforts and contribution and wish him well for the future.

“Bruno Saltor will take charge of the team as Interim Head Coach.

“Co-controlling owners Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali 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.

“'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 sacked

Sunday 2 April 2023 20:28 , Alex Young

Chelsea have sacked manager Graham Potter after less than seven months in charge.

Saturday’s home defeat to Aston Villa proved to be the final straw for co-chairman Todd Boehly, with the loss seeing Chelsea drop into the bottom half of the table.

Follow all the latest as we dive into the fallout.