GRAHAM POTTER is favourite to succeed Thomas Tuchel as Chelsea manager after the German was sacked.
The Brighton boss is heading to London for talks with the West London club.
Zinedine Zidane and Mauricio Pochettino have also been lined up as potential replacements as odds tumble on the favourites.
Anthony Barry will take over as interim manager while the club look to appoint a permanent replacement.
A Blues statement said: “As the new ownership group reaches 100 days since taking over the club, and as it continues its hard work to take the club forward, the new owners believe it is the right time to make this transition.
“Chelsea’s coaching staff will take charge of the team for training and the preparation of our upcoming matches as the club moves swiftly to appoint a new head coach.”
It comes as:
Get 25 FREE SPINS with NO DEPOSIT required when you join Sun Vegas
Stay up to date with all the latest from Stamford Bridge…
Silent Chelsea squad on Tuchel
All but one of Chelsea’s squad has remained silent on social media after Thomas Tuchel’s sacking.
Wesley Fofana was the only player as he took to Instagram to share a photo with him.
He may have only just joined and has known Tuchel the shortest amount of time but the Frenchman is the only one to wish him farewell.
Bark-ing mad
Nice boss Lucien Favre seemingly didn’t know what position new signing Ross Barkley played in before signing him.
The former England international has joined the Ligue 1 club after his Chelsea contract was terminated.
During a press conference on Wednesday, a journalist asked Farve: “In your mind, is he [Barkley] more of a six, more of an eight?”
And Farve’s response proved to be an admission of him being unsure where to deploy Barkley.
He said: “I’m told he’s more of an eight.”
Terry a fan of Potter
John Terry lavished Graham Potter with praise on Twitter – just 15 days before Tuchel lost his job.
The Brighton boss is on his way to meet Chelsea owner Todd Boehly later today to discuss taking over the role.
Potter has received much praise for the style of football he has the Seagulls playing on top of helping them climb the table from a side who could go down to a team that is in the fight for Europe.
Terry would seemingly be a fan of the new manager if it does happen to be Potter replacing Tuchel.
Tuchel’s pay-off
Thomas Tuchel is set to receive a whopping £13million payout after his sacking by Chelsea, according to reports.
Reports also indicate that Tuchel’s backroom staff are also set to land an extra £2m between them.
It takes the sacking of the German to a total of £15million .
Boehly wants Potter in charge by Saturday
Chelsea want Graham Potter in charge by the weekend.
SunSport can exclusively reveal that Todd Boehly wants the Brighton boss in charge for their game versus Fulham.
Potter is set to travel to London today to meet with the Blues’ owner to discuss taking over as manager.
Tuchel needed more time
Jamie Carragher thinks that Thomas Tuchel needed more time to turn around Chelsea’s fortunes.
The ex-Liverpool defender said: “He bought Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang who made his debut last night and Wesley Fofana’s played two games,
“So the idea that this team’s been put together with a lot of money spent – I understand that – pressure comes with that and Tuchel will understand that – but he was almost like a director of football a lot through the summer as well
“He was heavily involved in bringing the players in.
“He should have been given more time certainly, even just the next three games which takes them up to the international break, I don’t know what the rush was right now.”
Carragher thinks Poch is the man
Pundit Jamie Carragher believes Mauricio Pochettino is the right man to be Chelsea’s next manager rather than Graham Potter.
He said: “If you asked me, if I was a Chelsea supporter who I’d like to see manage my club, I’d go for Pochettino.
“It’s a very ruthless club and I’m not sure he [Potter] is the right fit.
“Maybe Chelsea are saying they want to do things differently in the future in terms of having a coach in charge rather than a manager or they do things behind the scenes differently.
“But if I was Graham Potter, I would find that very hard to believe that they’re going to do things differently.
“They’ve just got rid of a manager six games into the season. Of course, it’s a huge step up in his managerial career and Chelsea are still one of the top clubs.
“They are still world champions right now, but you fear for Graham Potter that he’ll be in the same boat as every other Chelsea manager has for the last 10 years, unless he gets results instantly they’ll be getting themselves another new manager in 12 months.”
Mendy rejects new contract
Edouard Mendy has rejected Chelsea’s offer of a new deal.
The goalkeeper has been left unhappy with what’s on the table because his salary would be less than Kepa Arrizabalaga’s despite him being Mendy’s understudy.
The Spaniard is reportedly on £190,000-a-week.
Leboeuf hits out at Mount
Ex-Chelsea star Frank Leboeuf has singled out Mason Mount for criticism.
The attacking midfielder has been a vital player for Chelsea over the last few seasons but his performance versus Dinamo Zagreb has led to criticism.
Laboeuf told ESPN: “I want to talk about Mason because we never talk about him because he’s the little boy from Chelsea,”
“But he disappeared! I’m sorry, Mason disappeared. I want to know where he is.
“He’s fantastic, a great player but his involvement in the game was not enough. That was an appalling performance against a very average team.”
Tuchel sacked via phone call
Thomas Tuchel was left “totally shocked” after being sacked by Chelsea in a brutal 10-minute PHONE CALL today.
SunSport can reveal Todd Boehly ended Tuchel’s 18-month Stamford Bridge love affair in swift fashion following last night’s defeat to Dinamo Zagreb.
Champions League winner Tuchel rocked up to Cobham this morning to give his flops a post-match dressing down.
But when he arrived at Chelsea’s training ground there was nobody there to greet him.
Tuchel was then thrust into a call conference with the Chelsea hierarchy.
In a relentless ten minute meeting, Tuchel pleaded for more time as he urged for a chance to turn things around but his request fell on deaf ears.
Potter to meet Boehly
Brighton manager Graham Potter is reportedly set to meet Todd Boehly later today.
He is supposedly Chelsea’s first choice option and there has been contact between the club and him already.
Brighton have given permission to Chelsea to talk to Potter.
Credit: Getty Who is Anthony Barry?
Thomas Tuchel’s sacking has paved the way for assistant coach Anthony Barry to temporarily take charge of Chelsea.
Barry is a former hard-working midfielder who spent his career sending chills around the Football League.
This includes two spells at Accrington Stanley where he inspired them to win the National League title in 2006.
He also played for Yeovil, Chester, Wrexham and Fleetwood – where he won back-to-back promotions.
However, Barry was hit hard with injuries in his mid twenties which pushed him to go into coaching back at Accrington.
But after rapidly rising through the coaching levels, the Englishman was appointed as part of the Chelsea backroom staff ahead of the 2020/21 season.
During Barry’s time at Chelsea, he has taken on part-time coaching roles in international football with Republic of Ireland and Belgium.
Fans all say the same thing about Boehly
Chelsea supporters have reacted online to the sacking of Thomas Tuchel with many commenting on Todd Boehly’s ruthlessness, similar to that of their previous owner.
One said: “What if Roman Abramovich is running the club through Todd Boehly?”
Another added: “Todd Boehly is Roman Abramovich in disguise. You can’t tell me otherwise.”
One wrote: “I think Todd Boehly is just a caretaker for Roman Abramovich.”
Another posted: “Thomas Tuchel just got sacked, Roman Abramovich is running Chelsea through Todd Boehly. You can’t tell me otherwise!”
Odds
Following Thomas Tuchel’s sacking bookmakers Betfair have made Mauricio Pochettino they favourite to become the next Chelsea boss.
Betfair odds:
- Mauricio Pochettino: 11/8
- Graham Potter: 11/4
- Brendan Rodgers: 5/1
- Zinedine Zidane: 14/1
- Marcelo Bielsa 16/1
- Roberto Martinez: 16/1
- Ralph Hasenhuttl 20/1
- Diego Simeone: 20/1
- Massimiliano Allegri: 25/1
- John Terry 33/1
- Lucien Favre 33/1
- Thomas Frank 33/1
- Jesse Marsch: 33/1
- Gareth Southgate 50/1
- Frank Lampard: 50/1
Credit: Reuters Three man shortlist
Sunsport can exclusively report that Todd Boehly has already drawn up a three man shortlist as he looks to replace Thomas Tuchel.
Brighton boss Graham Potter is top of his wishlist.
Former Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane is also on Boehly’s shortlist as well as Benfica boss Roger Schmidt.
Former Tottenham and Paris Saint-Germain manager Mauricio Pochettino is also available after leaving the Parisians earlier this year.
It is understood the Argentine would also be open to talking with Chelsea about taking over in the dugout at Stamford Bridge.
Unhappy Chelsea fans
Plenty of Chelsea supporters have been left in shock by the news Thomas Tuchel has been sacked.
Many are concerned regarding the strategy after Todd Boehly allowed Thomas Tuchel to spend so heavily over the summer.
Boehly decision is proving unpopular and confusing to most on social media.
Potter has buy-out clause
Brighton boss Graham Potter reportedly has a buy-out clause in his contract.
Journalist Guillem Balague claims it would take £16million to bring him from in from the Seagulls.
Potter is currently the bookies favourite to take over at Stamford Bridge.
Poor form nothing new
Chelsea’s dip in form and performances began towards the end of last season.
Tuchel’s first 50 games were a lot better than his last 50 and the defence leaked more goals.
Some stat
Just 350 days into his tenure as Chelsea boss, Thomas Tuchel became the first manager in the club’s history to guide the Blues to the final of each of the League Cup, FA Cup and European Cup/UEFA Champions League.
Despite being in charge of Chelsea for just 589 days, no manager has ever reached more major domestic/European finals with the West Londoners than Tuchel (4).
He managed Chelsea for 100 matches.
Reunion – failed
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang reportedly decided to join Chelsea because he wanted to work under Thomas Tuchel.
He was the striker’s manager at Borussia Dortmund.
Aubameyang arrived on deadline day and just under a week later Tuchel is no longer in charge.
Big money spent
The sacking of Thomas Tuchel comes as a major shock given his £270million spending spree this summer.
He signed the likes of Raheem Sterling for £50m, Marc Cucurella for £60m and Wesley Fofana for £70m.
Tuchel was given just two games after the transfer window closed before being axed.
As some concerned Chelsea fans have pointed out, what if the new boss doesn’t fancy some of the German’s big money signings?
Tuchel’s Chelsea honours
Thomas Tuchel won three major trophies at Chelsea:
Champions League: 2020/21
Super Cup: 2021
Club World Cup: 2021
Credit: Getty Who next?
Reports suggest that first-team coach Anthony Barry will likely take charge on an interim basis for the meantime as Chelsea look for a new manager.
But who are the early contenders to take over the vacant role?
The bookies have Brighton boss Graham Potter as favourite.
Graham Potter – 2/1
Mauricio Pochettino – 5/1
John Terry – 7/1
Zinedine Zidane – 8/1
Brendan Rodgers – 12/1
Ruthless Boehly
Previous owner Roman Abramovich was known for his brutal style of sacking manager and new man Todd Boehly is following in his footsteps.
He has only been in charge of the club for 100 days and he has axed his first manager.
According to the Telegraph, Tuchel lost the faith of Boehly and his players.
And they state that his future at Chelsea would have been in doubt even if they had claimed three points against Dinamo Zagreb.
Tuchel sacked – Club statement
A Chelsea statement read: “Chelsea Football Club has today parted company with Head Coach Thomas Tuchel.
“On behalf of everyone at Chelsea FC, the Club would like to place on record its gratitude to Thomas and his staff for all their efforts during their time with the Club.
“Thomas will rightly have a place in Chelsea’s history after winning the Champions League, the Super Cup and Club World Cup in his time here.
“As the new ownership group reaches 100 days since taking over the Club, and as it continues its hard work to take the Club forward, the new owners believe it is the right time to make this transition.
“Chelsea’s coaching staff will take charge of the team for training and the preparation of our upcoming matches as the Club moves swiftly to appoint a new head coach.
“There will be no further comment until a new head coach appointment is made.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
