GRAHAM POTTER will pocket more than £50m for joining Chelsea’s American revolution.
Chelsea officially welcomed their new manager on a whopping five-year contract last night and he will take training today.
Potter, 47, will earn just over £10m a year – far more than sacked predecessor Thomas Tuchel who was paid around £8m a year.
Chelsea’s new manager said: “I am incredibly proud and excited to represent 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.”
Potter will take with him from Brighton his assistant Billy Reid, first-team coaches Bjorn Hamberg and Bruno, goalkeeping coach Ben Roberts and assistant head of recruitment Kyle Macaulay.
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Potter left Brighton after three seasons to become the first managerial appointment under Chelsea’s new US-led owners.
Senior Stamford Bridge insiders told SunSport that the new coach’s leadership skills and his ability as a ‘risk-taker’ were what swung it for them.
The source added that chairman Todd Boehly and his fellow directors also admired Potter for taking the plunge and leaving England to manage Swedish minnows Ostersund where he led them to three promotions.
Another said how Birmingham-born Potter can do ‘more with less’ even though Chelsea have just splashed more than £250 million in the transfer window.
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The Brummie brainbox’s Masters in Leadership and Emotional Intelligence heavily appealed too because it shows he can operate outside football circles.
Chairman Todd Boehly held talks with Potter just hours after axing Tuchel and agreed one of the longest managerial contracts in Chelsea history.
Boehly said: “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. 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.”
The appointment of Potter will now see ramp up the search for a sporting director to improve scouting and transfers.
The new head coach will play a part in the selection process and it is hoped an appointment will be made before the World Cup starts in November.
Boehly and fellow owner Behdad Eghbali addressed the players before training on Wednesday at 2pm where the squad were told ‘we have got your backs’ and were promised support.
A separate meeting with club captain Cesar Azpilicueta and other senior squad members took place later.
Eghbali and José E. Feliciano, co-controlling owners, said: ‘Graham is a football innovator and winner on the pitch and a leader off the pitch.
“He has deeply impressed us with his ideas and approach to football. We are thrilled to partner with Graham to build a winning team, one that embodies the culture of collaboration, innovation, teamwork, player development, and a commitment to excellence on and off the pitch.
“We are fortunate to have Graham and his team as our partners in that journey.”
Chelsea paid Brighton more than £20 million in compensation to prise Potter away from the Amex Stadium.
Seagulls’ Under-21 coach Andrew Crofts will take on the role of Albion’s interim head coach, supported by his assistant Shannon Ruth, set-play coach Nick Stanley, Adam Lallana and assistant goalkeeping coach Jack Stern.
Brighton chairman Tony Bloom said: “I am very disappointed Graham will be leaving us. He is an exceptional head coach and an exceptional person. He will be hugely missed.
“He leaves an excellent legacy for his successor with the club in its highest ever position, and on the back of leading us to our highest finish in the club’s history last season.”
Deputy chairman Paul Barber added: “Tony, David and I have already begun work to replace Graham and to secure the very best candidate for the club.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
