GRAHAM POTTER is the new manager of Chelsea.
The English boss, 47, has taken over the reigns from sacked Thomas Tuchel, following successful talks with the club’s owner Todd Boehly.
In the past, Potter has been a hit coaching Swedish minnows Ostersund, Swansea and most recently Brighton.
During that period, he has developed his own inner circle of people he considers confidantes.
From his wife who runs a pilates business to assistant manager Billy Reid, these are who he trusts the most as he takes control at Stamford Bridge.
Billy Reid
Making the move to Stamford Bridge with Potter, like he has at Ostersund, Swansea and Brighton, is the ex-Hamilton Academical boss.
Reid has been Potter’s trusted assistant – a man he can lean on for advice in training sessions and during games, as well as encourage to perform ballet Swan Lake with his players.
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He was a No1 for eight years in Scotland, before opting to be Potter’s No2.
Of Potter, Reid has said: “He lets me get on with my job. He is easy going, with a temper. When he turns he turns and the players will know that.
“He is very clear in his mind of the idea he puts across to his players. That’s why he’s had the success he’s had and he knows how to delegate really well.”
Bjorn Hamberg
When he was just 20, Hamberg showed his love of football by setting up his own team, BK Bjorner with pals.
Before he got his break at Ostersund, the Swede was a supermarket manager.
But at 26 he’s been with Potter – focusing mostly on match analysis.
He too has made the move to the Blues.
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Kyle Macaulay
Recruitment analyst Macaulay has also joined Potter’s Chelsea revolution.
He has been credited with finding gems at Brighton, from Yves Bissouma to Moises Caicedo.
Macaulay will be tasked with looking at the current squad and drawing a list of potential targets to correct any weaknesses.
Any potential talents that could be sold on for profit would also be part of his remit.
Rachel Potter
Potter is married to Rachel, a Pilates enthusiast and the mother of his three children.
They began dating when he was a player in the 1990s.
She has her own successful business and has been the football manager’s rock through the years.
In fact, Rachel ditched her first business in the UK to start all over in Sweden when he landed the Ostersund job in 2011.
Ben Roberts
A former Middlesbrough favourite, Roberts will be joining Chelsea as a goalkeeping coach.
In fact, he was in goal for Boro when Roberto di Matteo scored for Chelsea after just 43 seconds in the 1997 FA Cup final
He holds a degree in sports science and coaching and worked with Potter at Brighton from 2015.
Most notably, he helped the careers of Matt Ryan and now Robert Sanchez blossom.
Could be just the tonic Edouard Mendy needs to regain his form and confidence.
Bruno Saltor Grau
Known simply as Bruno, the Spanish coach had an impressive career in LaLiga – playing right back for Espanyol, Almeria and Valencia.
He also played over 200 games for Brighton – so was a firm fans’ favourite.
In 2019, he became senior player development coach with the Seagulls.
He once told Sky Sports: “I never thought I was going to get into coaching this quickly,.
“The manager’s leadership is amazing as he allows every one of us the freedom to contribute whatever knowledge and experience we have.”
John Morris
The man at the centre of Potter’s negotiations with Chelsea and Brighton is Morris.
An agent for Wasserman, he famously also has Jamie Vardy, Brendan Rodgers, Tyrone Mings, and many more as clients.
He began working with fellow Solihull-born Potter in 2017, after flying to Sweden to meet him.
Instantly, he understood his qualities as a coach and has beaten his drum for top jobs in the Premier League ever since.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
