After just nine months on the job, Graham Potter is out as Chelsea manager.
Potter’s short reign saw the legendary Premier League club dip to 11th place on the season so far. His final game as manager was a 2-0 home defeat to Aston Villa on Saturday.
“Chelsea FC has announced that Graham Potter has departed the club,” Chelsea said in a statement. “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 quarterfinal 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.”
The 47-year-old had come over from Brighton in September as the first head coach to be hired under owner Todd Boehly. Unfortunately, despite spending big on transfers such as Enzo Fernandez, Chelsea simply wasn’t able to put the pieces together.
The soccer world had some strong reactions to the news of Potter’s sacking.
Todd Boehly pulls the trigger – he was determined to stand by Graham Potter, who he selected as Chelsea manager, but the performances have been way below expectations. https://t.co/LMWzX8JwlI
— Graeme Bailey (@GraemeBailey) April 2, 2023
Todd said he would be different to Roman 😂😂
I feel for Graham Potter, but it was inevitable. You don’t change Tuchel for Potter. Ridiculous decision to start with. https://t.co/twZpL1D23H
— Jamie Carragher (@Carra23) April 2, 2023
I thought Boehly was committed to Potter for the long term? Owners recruited without any discernible strategy, flooded the squad with too many players, put Potter in impossible position, then fired him. Nice work. https://t.co/OjIrLPB6aw
— Oliver Holt (@OllieHolt22) April 2, 2023
Christian Pulisic is about to have his fifth Chelsea manager. It's only been 4 years and change since he signed there. https://t.co/6A36TesTiN
— Leander “same handle *elsewhere*” Schaerlaeckens (@LeanderAlphabet) April 2, 2023
Bruno Saltor will act as interim head coach while co-controlling owners Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali figure out a full-time replacement.
“On behalf of everyone at the club, we want to thank Graham sincerely for his contribution to Chelsea,” the co-owners said in a statement. “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.”
[Chelsea]
