GRAHAM POTTER has verbally agreed to replace Thomas Tuchel as Chelsea boss.
The Seagulls manager first held talks with the Blues hierarchy on Wednesday, just hours after Champions League winning boss Tuchel was axed.
SunSport exclusively revealed yesterday that Chelsea wanted Potter in charge before the weekend.
And the former Swansea City boss has told co-owners Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali that he will take the vacant role in West London.
Bookies have now suspended the market on Potter taking over at Stamford Bridge.
He will pen a five-year contract with the Blues and is travelling to Chelsea’s Cobham training ground this afternoon, according to the Times.
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Other managers, including Zinedine Zidane, had been under consideration, but Potter was always viewed as the first choice by Chelsea.
Fine details of the contract with Potter and a compensation package of at least £20million with the Seagulls will now be ironed out.
Chelsea hope to have their new man in the dugout when they face West London rivals Fulham at Craven Cottage in the Saturday lunchtime kick-off.
Potter returned to Brighton’s training ground this morning to bid farewell to staff and players at their South Coast base.
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The ex-Ostersunds boss was caught on camera driving into the training ground alongside assistant Billy Reid, who is expected to join him in the capital.
The remainder of his backroom staff also needs to be finalised.
Chelsea’s hope for the 47-year-old is that he can create 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.
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
