Champions League

GRAHAM POTTER leaves Chelsea with the joint-worst record of any manager in the club’s history during the Premier League era. Potter lasted just six months in charge having replaced Champions League winner Thomas Tuchel last September.
Graham Potter has Chelsea’s joint-worst Premier League record
But after a dismal runs of performances, Blues owner Todd Boehly has axed the ex-Brighton manager with the side sitting in 11th.
Potter departs having won just SEVEN of his 22 league games in charge, drawing the same amount of times while losing eight.
His last came on Saturday at home to Aston Villa, with the 2-0 defeat enough to seal his fait.
With a 1.27 points per game rate, only Glenn Hoddle fared as badly as Potter, leaving with the same PPG.
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Hoddle won just 38 of his 122 games in charge, losing 43 and drawing 41.
Tuchel, who was fired four months after Boehly took over the club from Roman Abramovich, left with a 1.94 PPG rate.
In that period, he managed 63 league matches, winning 35, drawing 17 and losing 11.
But after replacing Frank Lampard in January 2021, just five months later Tuchel lifted the Champions League.
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Lampard was slightly worse off than the German in his 57 Premier League matches.
The Chelsea legend won just 28, drawing 11 and losing 18, which saw him sacked after 18 months.
Surprisingly, Avram Grant has the best PPG ratio at Chelsea when he replaced Jose Mourinho in 2007.
He managed 32 games, winning 22, drawing eight and only losing twice, reaching the Champions League final that season too.
Mourinho is behind Grant, taking charge of 212 league matches during his two stints, winning 140, drawing 44 and losing 28.
Chelsea now look to hire their 19th manager during the Prem era, with Julian Nagelsmann among the favourites to take over.
But ex-Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino is also in the mix with the club set to take their time, with Bruno Saltor taking up an interim role.
Chelsea sacked manager Graham PotterCredit: Getty Images – Getty More

CHELSEA supporters have expressed their joy and declared the club “free” after Graham Potter was axed.Potter was hired on a five-year deal worth £12m-a-year after Champions League-winning manager Thomas Tuchel was sacked following a poor start to the season.
Chelsea have sacked Graham Potter after just six months in chargeCredit: PA
Blues supporters have been celebrating his exit on TwitterCredit: EPA
However, ex-Brighton boss Potter has been unable to turn the club’s Chelsea’s fortunes around with the Blues sliding to 11th in the top-flight after their 2-0 home defeat to Aston Villa on Saturday.
And the Blues announced that they had fired the 47-year-old on Sunday evening after holding crunch talks with owner Todd Boehly earlier at Cobham.
Blues fans were over the moon at Potter being relieved of his duties, with one tweeting: “Finally we are free.”
Another said: “Congratulations to us all.”
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And another said: “Am I dreaming? Did they finally do this? Love it.”
One chimed in: “Goodbye and good riddance as well as thanks for finally listening to the supporters.”
Potter leaves Chelsea with the WORST record of any Blues manager in the Premier League era, being dismissed after a horror run.
The former Brighton boss leaves Stamford Bridge with the worst points-per-game record of Blues managers who have managed more than 20 games – picking up an average of 1.27 points per game.
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Potter won seven of his 22 league matches in charge of the club, drew seven and lost eight.
That translated to the Blues collecting a mere 28 points from an available 66.
Former Spurs and PSG boss Mauricio Pochettino is one of the favourites for the Chelsea job now, with Julian Nagelsmann also available after his Bayern Munich sacking – himself replaced by ex-Blues man Thomas Tuchel.
Pochettino, 50, remains a free agent having been sacked by Paris Saint-Germain in June 2022 despite leading them to the French title.
Other candidates include former Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane, former Spain manager Luis Enrique, Eintracht Frankfurt’s Oliver Glasner, and even two-time former Blues boss Jose Mourinho.
And some even believe they have a replacement already lined-up in the Special one – who is currently in charge of Roma.
One wrote: “I think I speak for all chelsea fans when I say we want Mourinho back.”
While another added: “Jose Mourinho to Chelsea please!”
Some supporters want Jose Mourinho to return to the clubCredit: EPA More

CHELSEA released a comprehensive statement after confirming the sacking of Graham Potter. Potter was only hired in September in replace of Champions League winner Thomas Tuchel.
Graham Potter has been sacked by ChelseaCredit: Reuters
But the ex-Brighton boss lasted just six months, leaving the Blues languishing 11th in the Premier League and on a dismal run.
Potter’s departure was announced by the club in a 199-word statement with Bruno Saltor to take charge in an interim role.
It read: “Chelsea FC has announced that Graham Potter has departed the club.
“Graham has agreed to collaborate with the Club to facilitate a smooth transition.
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“In his time with the club, Graham has taken us to the quarter final of the Champions League, where we will face Real Madrid.
“Chelsea would like to thank Graham for all his efforts and contribution and wish him well for the future.”
Co-controlling owners Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali said: “On behalf of everyone at the club, we want to thank Graham sincerely for his contribution to Chelsea.
“We have the highest degree of respect for Graham as a coach and as a person.
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“He has always conducted himself with professionalism and integrity and we are all disappointed in this outcome.
“Along with our incredible fans, we will all be getting behind Bruno and the team as we focus on the rest of the season.
“We have 10 Premier League games remaining and a Champions League quarter final ahead.
“We will put every effort and commitment into every one of those games so that we can end the season on a high.”
Chelsea sunk to a 2-0 defeat at home to Aston Villa on Saturday, their TENTH loss of the season.
And despite the Stamford Bridge board showing faith to Potter and his project in the past – to the tune of over £600million in the transfer marker – enough proved enough.
Julian Nagelsmann – sacked by Bayern Munich and replaced by Tuchel – is an early frontrunner to take over despite interest from Tottenham.
Meanwhile former Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino is another alternative alongside Real Madrid legend Zinedine Zidane.
Graham Potter leaves Chelsea in 11th placeCredit: PA More

CHELSEA are now on the hunt for their third manager under Todd Boehly after Graham Potter was given the boot. Potter only left Brighton in September to replace Champions League-winner Thomas Tuchel.
Graham Potter has been sacked by ChelseaCredit: Alamy
But after a dismal runs of performances, that has left Chelsea in 11th, Boehly decided to give Potter his marching orders.
Owners Boehly and Behdad Eghbali said: “On behalf of everyone at the club, we want to thank Graham sincerely for his contribution to Chelsea.
“We have the highest degree of respect for Graham as a coach and as a person.
“He has always conducted himself with professionalism and integrity and we are all disappointed in this outcome.
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“Along with our incredible fans, we will all be getting behind Bruno and the team as we focus on the rest of the season.
“We have 10 Premier League games remaining and a Champions League quarter final ahead.
“We will put every effort and commitment into every one of those games so that we can end the season on a high.”
It is now back to the drawing board for American billionaire Boehly, who is set to take his time to weigh up his options for Potter’s replacement.
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Here, SunSport runs down seven options, including some familiar faces.
Julian Nagelsmann
The German is without a job having been surprisingly sacked by Bayern Munich and replaced by ex-Blues boss Tuchel.
Nagelsmann made his name at RB Leipzig and was hired by Bayern after Hansi Flick left to take over at Germany.
The young manager won the Bundesliga last season but was sacked this month due to off-field dillemas.
Nagelsmann is a frontrunner to take over at Chelsea, with the Stamford Bridge board said to be admirers.
Julian Nagelsmann was sacked by Bayern MunichCredit: PA
Mauricio Pochettino
Pochettino is still a free agent having left PSG last year, despite winning the league title in France.
The Argentine was linked with the Chelsea job after Tuchel’s sacking and was believed to be interested in a return to London.
Although after Antonio Conte’s exit from Tottenham, Pochettino may prefer a move back to the north of the capital.
It means Boehly could be forced to act fast if he prefers to make a move for Pochettino.
Mauricio Pochettino is linked with both the Spurs and Chelsea jobCredit: AP
Oliver Glasner
Glasner took Eintracht Frankfurt to Europa League glory in 2022 and has been on the Premier League clubs’ radar since.
And Chelsea are believed to be among those to rate the Austrian, reportedly shortlisting him as a Potter replacement as early as January.
But again, they face competition with Spurs, who have made contact with Glasner to fill the void left by Conte.
Despite Glasner’s promise, he has less experience in the top flight as other options on the table for Chelsea.
Oliver Glasner is said to be admired by the Chelsea boardCredit: EPA
Brendan Rodgers
The Northern Irishman spent two years at Chelsea managing their reserves from 2006-2008 and has long been linked with taking over at Stamford Bridge.
Rodgers has now been sacked by Leicester with the Foxes second from bottom and in a real relegation scrap.
It leaves the former Celtic manager – who won two Premiership titles in Scotland – back on the managerial market.
But despite his experience in English football, Rodgers has endured a horror run in recent times.
Leicester sacked Brendan RodgersCredit: Getty

Jose Mourinho
Mourinho is a legend at Chelsea following his two stints, where he won three league titles.
He is now at Roma, chasing Champions League qualification in his second season in Italy.
Mourinho is understood to have been open to a THIRD Chelsea spell in the past.
But his time at Manchester United and Spurs may have caused friction with fans while he has voiced his content at Roma in the past.
Jose Mourinho has been content at RomaCredit: EPA
Zinedine Zidane
The Frenchman was linked with Chelsea before Frank Lampard’s hiring in 2019 and when the Blues icon was sacked in 2021.
Zidane has had two stints managing Real Madrid, winning three Champions League trophies and two LaLiga titles.
But after leaving once more two years ago, the 1998 World Cup winner is yet to take up another role.
It has been suggested in the past that Zidane is holding out for the France role, despite FFF chief Le Graet ruling it out in the past.
Zinedine Zidane has been linked with the France jobCredit: Splash
Luis Enrique
Enrique won two LaLiga titles and a Champions League trophy during his three years with Barca.
But he turned to international management, having two runs at the Spain job.
But following elimination in the round of 16 during the winter World Cup, Enrique left his post.
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The ex-midfielder – who played for both Real Madrid and Barca – has been linked with Chelsea ever since.
Luis Enrique has been linked with the Chelsea jobCredit: EPA More