GRAHAM POTTER has agreed a five-year deal to replace Thomas Tuchel as Chelsea manager.
Chelsea moved quickly to replace the German after making the call to axe their first manager 100 days into the new ownership.
Brighton didn’t hesitate in allowing the Blues to speak to their manager and opening talks were held between Potter and Stamford Bridge chiefs on Wednesday, just hours after Champions League winning manager Tuchel was axed.
After positive discussions with co-owners Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali, Potter agreed to take the role on Wednesday night.
He said: “I am incredibly proud and excited to represent Chelsea FC, this fantastic football club.
“I am very excited to partner with Chelsea’s new ownership group and look forward to meeting and working with the exciting group of players and to develop a team and culture that our amazing fans can be proud of.
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“I would also like to place my sincere thanks to Brighton & Hove Albion for allowing me this opportunity and in particular Tony Bloom and all the players, staff and supporters for their continued support during my time at the club.”
Boehly added: “We are thrilled to bring Graham to Chelsea.
“He is a proven coach and an innovator in the Premier League who fits our vision for the Club.
“Not only is he extremely talented on the pitch, he has skills and capabilities that extend beyond the pitch which will make Chelsea a more successful Club.
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“He has had a major impact at his previous Clubs and we look forward to his positive impact at Chelsea.
“We look forward to supporting him, his coaching team and the squad in realising their full potential in the coming months and years.”
Other managers, including Zinedine Zidane, had been under consideration, but Potter was always viewed as the first choice.
Fine details of the contract with Potter had to be ironed out overnight and into the morning, including a clause which will allow his coaching staff to leave with him should he resign for a different job at any point.
Furthermore, a compensation package of at least £20million with the Seagulls was finalised with further payments to cover the loss of coaches Billy Reid, Bruno, Bjorn Hamberg, goalkeeping coach Ben Roberts and assistant head of recruitment Kyle Macaulay, all of whom will make the move with Potter.
All of the staff members have been with Potter at both Ostersunds in Sweden and Swansea City, except for Bruno and Roberts, in the Championship before they all moved to The Amex.
As the final details were sorted on Thursday morning, the 47-year-old headed back to Brighton to bid farewell to those staying behind.
Potter spent around two hours collecting his things and saying goodbyes before heading for Chelsea’s Cobham training ground to seal the deal.
The Blues wanted their new man to take training on Friday before taking his place in the dugout on Saturday for the West London derby against Fulham.
Chelsea hope that the ex-Ostersunds manager will be the key to creating a new, more long-term, culture at the club and move away from the hire and fire approach during the Roman Abramovich era.
Despite Potter’s lack of experience at the top table of European football, the Blues view the Englishman as one of the hottest prospects in European coaching.
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Potter has led Brighton to a flying start to the season with four wins from six games, including an opening day victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford.
Since succeeding Chris Hughton at The Amex, the former defender has transformed the squad and style of play on the south coast and will be a hard act to follow.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
