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      ‘Came here for him’ – Wesley Fofana joined Chelsea to play under Tuchel but boss sacked SEVEN DAYS after £70m transfer

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      WESLEY FOFANA admits the recently-sacked Thomas Tuchel played a big role in his move to Chelsea.The defender completed a whopping £70million transfer from Leicester late month after being convinced by Tuchel’s project at Stamford Bridge.
      Wesley Fofana completed a blockbuster £70million move to Chelsea last monthCredit: REX
      The defender was convinced to join the Blues by the recently-sacked Thomas TuchelCredit: AP
      But the Frenchman’s stint under the former PSG boss ended up being a short one as Chelsea axed him on Wednesday.
      In an interview with L’Equipe, Fofana said of his transfer: “I came here also in great part for him.
      “He’s a manager I appreciate, in his management, his style of play.
      “There’s already a trust relationship with him. Chelsea’s system is quite similar to Leicester’s.
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      “They want to use me in a three at the back defence. I can play on the right or in the middle. I’ll adapt either way.”
      Leicester were initially reluctant to sell Fofana but eventually relented, although the 21-year-old admits he had his doubts about the move going through.
      He said: “But rather quickly, I told myself that I was going to realise one of my dreams: to play in one of the biggest clubs in the world.
      “I chose with my family and my agents to 100% go there.
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      “They managed without any stress and explained the steps to me clearly, and even the not-so-nice moments where the club was going to shout at me a bit.”
      Fofana inked a lucrative seven-year contract with the west Londoners – who are on the verge of appointing Brighton boss Graham Potter as Tuchel’s replacement.
      He said of his deal: “I wanted to show my determination to the club.

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      “We also wanted to not receive money for my image rights, and my agents managed that perfectly, because I didn’t want to be bogged down by such stories.”
      Fofana and his Chelsea team-mates will be back in action on Saturday afternoon, travelling to Craven Cottage to take on their West London rivals Fulham.
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      Chelsea manager LIVE updates: Graham Potter leaves Brighton training ground after saying goodbyes, Tuchel axed – latest

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      GRAHAM POTTER has reached a verbal agreement with Chelsea over the vacant manager’s job and has left Brighton’s training ground.The Brighton boss has talks with Chelsea’s owner Todd Boehly in London on Wednesday night and talks were amiable.
      Bookies have suspended betting on Potter taking charge.
      Zinedine Zidane and Mauricio Pochettino have also been lined up as potential replacements as odds tumble on the favourites.
      Anthony Barry has been in charge of Chelsea on an interim basis but Potter is hoping to be in charge on Saturday against Fulham.
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      Stay up to date with all the latest from Stamford Bridge…
      Graham Potter joins Chelsea
      Graham Potter has agreed a five-year deal to replace Thomas Tuchel as Chelsea boss.
      The Blues moved quickly to replace Tuchel after making the call to axe him 100 days into the new ownership.
      Brighton didn’t hesitate in allowing the West Londoners to speak to their now former manager and opening talks were held between Potter and Stamford Bridge chiefs on Wednesday.
      After positive talks with co-owners Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali, Potter agreed to take the role on Wednesday night
      Gabriel Jesus pursuit ‘frustrated’ Tuchel
      Thomas Tuchel was reportedly left frustrated over a failed move for Gabriel Jesus this summer.
      The Athletic claims the ex-Chelsea boss was encouraged to sign Jesus from Man City by Todd Boehly.
      But Tuchel rejected the idea before later changing his mind.
      However, this time Boehly did not back Tuchel, who was left annoyed after Jesus made it clear he wanted to join Chelsea over Arsenal.
      Behdad Eghbali and Jose Feliciano
      “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.”
      Todd Boehly on Potter appointment
      “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.”
      Potter’s first words at Chelsea
      “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.
      “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.”
      Breaking – Chelsea confirm Graham Potter
      Chelsea have confirmed the arrival of Graham Potter as their new manager.
      The former Brighton boss has signed a five-year deal to take over from Thomas Tuchel.
      Potter will take charge of training at Cobham on Friday.
      And he will be in the dugout for Saturday’s derby against Fulham.
      Video – Potter arrives at Chelsea
      Graham Potter has pulled up at Cobham this afternoon to pen his five-year Chelsea deal.
      The manager continued talks this morning with Todd Boehly before striking a verbal agreement.
      And after saying goodbye to his Brighton players, Potter is now putting pen to paper at Chelsea’s training ground.
      WATCH POTTER ARRIVE AT CHELSEA HERE
      Potter gets backing from Ralph
      Ralph Hasenhuttl is backing Graham Potter to be a hit at Chelsea.
      The Southampton boss said: “I must congratulate them for a very good choice.
      “For me, he [Potter] is the manager in the last two years with the biggest impact in a club with all the limits they had. 
      “With all the transfers they gave away to other clubs, they’re still competing at the highest level. It shows how good this group is.
      “He has all the experience. I think to step into a bigger club and show there that he can perform at the highest level.”
      Tuchel seen after Chelsea sacking
      Thomas Tuchel has been pictured for the first time since he was sacked as Chelsea manager.
      The German was dismissed as Blues boss on Wednesday morning despite pleading with the new owners to keep him on for longer.
      And he took a stroll in the miserable weather on Thursday.
      Tuchel looked glum in the rain as Chelsea prepare to announce Brighton’s Graham Potter as his successor.

      Brighton pals to join Potter
      Graham Potter has reportedly demanded three members of his Brighton backroom staff to join him at Chelsea.
      Potter wants recruitment analyst Kyle Macaulay to follow him to London, says TalkSport.
      Macaulay has worked with Potter at Brighton, Swansea City and Ostersunds, offering his advice on transfer targets.
      Potter also wants assistant coaches Billy Reid and Bjorn Hamburg to join him at his new team.
      Student Potter to boost Blues
      Graham Potter is ready to win over the Chelsea dressing room… by using his Masters’ degree in Emotional Intelligence.
      He said: “[My masters] was a leadership qualification and that seemed to be interesting to me.
      “You simplify it, it’s just man management, building an environment, understanding how the environment can help you shape behaviour, how people act.
      “It sounds quite common sense but it’s often not common practice and that’s the beauty of it.”
      Costa undergoing medical at Wolves
      Former Chelsea star Diego Costa is on the brink of a Premier League return.
      The Athletic reports he is currently undergoing a medical at Wolves ahead of a free transfer.
      Costa’s work permit was initially turned by authorities after spending time playing in Brazil.
      But Wolves’ appeal was successful and Costa could be involved in Saturday’s game at Liverpool.

      Potter bids farewell to Brighton
      Graham Potter was at Brighton’s training ground this morning to say goodbye to his players.
      The tactical wizard is now on the brink of joining Chelsea as their new boss.
      And a verbal agreement is in place, with official confirmation to come.
      SEE THE VIDEO HERE
      Lukaku’s Chelsea future remains unclear
      Inter Milan director Giuseppe Marotta will talk with Chelsea about Romelu Lukaku’s future at the end of the season.
      Speaking ahead of Graham Potter’s arrival as Thomas Tuchel’s successor, he said: “It’s fresh news. I don’t know what the effects will be.
      “We absolutely want to get the best contribution out of Lukaku, and then at the end of the season we’ll sit down and discuss him with Chelsea.”
      “I don’t know if a change of coaches means that his return is to be automatic, it’s difficult to predict today.”
      Breaking – Chelsea reach Potter agreement
      Chelsea have reached a verbal agreement for Graham Potter to become their new manager.
      Fabrizio Romano claims contracts are now being drawn up after the Brighton boss struck a deal with Blues chiefs following talks this morning.
      Potter will now become Thomas Tuchel’s replacement at Stamford Bridge.
      And the move could be confirmed in the coming hours.

      Potter axes Brighton press conference
      Graham Potter has CANCELLED his Brighton press conference that was scheduled for today.
      The 47-year-old is currently in talks with Chelsea about taking over from the sacked Thomas Tuchel.
      Potter had been due to address the media today ahead of Brighton’s trip to Bournemouth on Saturday.
      But the scheduled press conference will no longer be going ahead, according to The Athletic.

      Good morning Chelsea fans
      Thomas Tuchel has been sacked by Chelsea after their shock Champions League loss away to Dinamo Zagreb on Tuesday.
      According to the Telegraph, Tuchel lost the faith of both club owner Todd Boehly and his team.
      The same source reports that his future at Stamford Bridge would have been in doubt even if they had claimed three points in Zagreb.
      It has been said that firs- team coach Anthony Barry will likely take charge on an interim basis for the meantime as the Blues look for a full-time successor.
      SunSport exclusively revealed Brighton boss Graham Potter is among the early frontrunners for the vacant position with talks already taking place.
      Meanwhile, Mauricio Pochettino and Zinedine Zidane are also on the Blues’ shortlist, as well as Benfica manager Roger Schmidt.
      Pochettino and Zidane have been out of work ever since they left Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid respectively.
      Potter has travelled to London to speak to Chelsea about their vacant head coach position after Tuchel’s dismissal, reports SunSport’s Giacomo Pisa.
      The Seagulls gave the 47-year-old permission to speak to Stamford Bridge chiefs.
      The new Chelsea owners are keen to take the club in a new direction with a young and ambitious manager, rather thing hiring and firing big names like they did before.
      SunSport understands they want a new head coach in place before Saturday’s West London derby against Fulham and are VERY confident that will be Potter.
      Potter held positive talks with the Blues chiefs on Wednesday and is set for further discussions on Thursday ahead of agreeing a deal.
      After initial talks, the top job at Stamford Bridge is Potter’s to lose and should a deal be struck quickly he could be on the touchline at Craven Cottage as early as this weekend.

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      Manchester United great Rio Ferdinand added about Thomas Tuchel: “Anybody who comes in now, you would think is a downgrade on Tuchel.
      “Graham Potter has done a fantastic job and will be called by bigger clubs than Brighton. But would he take it?
      “He has a clear identity but the question is would he be able to handle the experienced players?
      “Tuchel is a proper manager. He is honest and direct. He has clarity on how he wants to play and I can’t understand it. It doesn’t make sense to me”
      Ferdinand on Tuchel
      Manchester United hero Rio Ferdinand has blasted Chelsea’s decision to sack Thomas Tuchel and has warned whoever follows the German tactician will be a “downgrade”.
      Ferdinand said on his FIVE YouTube channel: “He has a 60 per cent win rate, a lot of managers would be delighted to have that.
      “It’s a giant statement from Todd Boehly and his new regime.”
      Ferdinand added: “I interviewed him [Tuchel] last week, I went to Chelsea’s training ground last week, I’ve got a really good relationship with Thomas Tuchel.
      “I said: ‘what’s it like with new ownership?’ He said: ‘It’s not worse, it’s not better, it’s just new.’
      “Those are his comments. It obviously wasn’t perfect behind the scenes because he would’ve said ‘nah, it’s brilliant etc’ but he was very open and honest and that’s what I love about him”
      Mount of a task
      Chelsea owner Todd Boehly has liked a tweet about Mason Mount’s contract situation, with negotiations expected to begin over a new deal.
      Mount is currently tied down until 2024 at Stamford Bridge and it was reported that he is ready to discuss a potential extension.
      Now Boehly has liked the tweet, an indication that the Blues will soon open a dialogue to complete a deal with the attacking midfielder
      Credit: Getty
      Hot Chelsea gossip
      Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel’s love live is said to have been centre of gossip in the dressing room.
      Tuchel has been shockingly sacked as Blues boss just 100 games and two seasons into his reign.
      Since the shocking announcement, revelations about the German’s final months in charge at Stamford Bridge have emerged.
      According to The Independent, even the ex-Paris Saint-Germain’s manager’s divorce from wife Sissi and new relationship with Natalie Max, 35, were discussed among Chelsea stars.
      It is even claimed some players changed their perception of Tuchel around the time he split with Sissi after 13 years of marriage and later dated Natalie.
      Tuchel, 49, and Sissi, 46, announced their marriage had ended in April and parted officially in May after filing for divorce.
      Up & at Em
      Chelsea fans are desperate for Emma Hayes to be appointed as Thomas Tuchel’s replacement.
      Hayes has been in charge of Chelsea Women for 10 years and has won 12 trophies during her reign.
      Since the 45-year-old took over as Blues boss Chelsea’s men’s team has gone through nine different managers, with varying success.
      BeIN Sports presenter Richard Keys led the calls for Hayes to take over, with several fans agreeing
      Ful steam ahead
      Chelsea want to have Brighton boss Graham Potter in the dugout for Saturday’s west London derby against Fulham, reports SunSport’s Giacomo Pisa.
      Potter held positive opening talks with the Blues chiefs on Wednesday and is set for further discussions on Thursday ahead of agreeing a deal.
      The West Londoners are moving fast after axing Thomas Tuchel following a poor start to the season.
      After initial talks yesterday, the top job at Stamford Bridge is Potter’s to lose and should a deal be struck quickly he could be on the touchline at Craven Cottage as early as this weekend
      Douglas Luiz to leave
      Aston Villa ace and Chelsea summer target Douglas Luiz will leave Villa Park as a free agent next summer.
      Luiz was chased by three top Premier League teams this summer after entering the final year of his contract.
      The Blues were known to be keen before they eventually plumped for Juventus star Denis Zakaria on loan.
      Liverpool also kept tabs on the midfielder until they pulled off a loan for Juve’s Arthur .
      But it was Arsenal who led the charge for Luiz on transfer deadline day, having a £23million bid rejected by Villa.
      But despite being happy to stay at the Midlands this term, UOL claim the Brazil international has already decided to leave Steven Gerrard’s side when his deal expires in 2023.
      And the 24-year-old is eager to extend his Premier League stint
      Credit: Getty
      Graham Potter reminder
      Brighton boss Graham Potter has been expected to travel to London to speak to Chelsea about their vacant head coach position after Thomas Tuchel’s dismissal, reports SunSport’s Giacomo Pisa.
      SunSport exclusively revealed earlier today that the Blues were planning on contacting the Seagulls about Potter’s availability.
      And the Premier League outfit have given the 47-year-old permission to speak to Stamford Bridge chiefs.
      The new Chelsea owners are keen to take the club in a new direction with a young and ambitious manager, rather thing hiring and firing big names.
      SunSport understands they want a new gaffer in place before Saturday’s West London derby against Fulham and are VERY confident that will be Potter

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      Watch Graham Potter arrive at Brighton training ground to say goodbye after agreeing to take over as Chelsea boss

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      BRIGHTON boss Graham Potter has arrived at the club’s training ground to say goodbye after verbally agreeing to take charge of Chelsea.Following Thomas Tuchel’s shock sacking at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday, the Blues held talks with Potter about the vacant position.
      Brighton boss Graham Potter has verbally agreed to take charge of ChelseaCredit: PA
      And is is understood that the 47-year-old has agreed to make the move to West London.
      Bookmakers Betfair have already suspended betting on Potter becoming Chelsea’s new head coach.
      Chelsea hope that Potter can be in the dugout on Saturday when they face rivals Fulham at Craven Cottage.
      SunSport exclusively revealed yesterday that Chelsea wanted Potter in charge before the weekend.
      Potter will face the likes of Liverpool and AC Milan in his first five matches
      READ MORE ON CHELSEA
      With Potter set to sign his Chelsea contract, he has been filmed entering Brighton’s training ground for the last time.
      Footage shared by Sky Sports shows Potter driving into the Seagulls’ headquarters on Thursday morning.
      Alongside him in his motor was assistant Billy Reid, who is expected to join him in the capital.
      Potter cancelled his Brighton press conference ahead of the club’s clash against Bournemouth scheduled for later today in a sign of an imminent switch.
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      Fine details of the contract with Potter and a compensation package of around £20million with Brighton will now be ironed out.
      Other managers, including Zinedine Zidane, had been under consideration, but Potter was always viewed as the first choice by Chelsea.
      According to The Times, Potter will put pen-to-paper on a five-year deal, where he is due at Chelsea’s Cobham training ground later in the afternoon.
      Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has blasted Chelsea’s decision to axe Tuchel, where he insisted anyone that follows the German is a “downgrade”.
      Speaking on his FIVE YouTube channel, he said: “Anybody who comes in now, you would think is a downgrade on Tuchel.
      “Graham Potter has done a fantastic job and will be called by bigger clubs than Brighton. But would he take it?
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      “He has a clear identity but the question is would he be able to handle the experienced players?
      “Tuchel is a proper manager. He is honest and direct. He has clarity on how he wants to play and I can’t understand it. It doesn’t make sense to me.” More

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      Graham Potter verbally agrees to take over as Chelsea manager as bookies SUSPEND market on Brighton boss making move

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      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.
      Graham Potter has verbally agreed to become new Chelsea gafferCredit: Getty
      Who Potter will face in his first five games

      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.
      Read More Chelsea News
      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.
      Potter has held positive talks with Chelsea owner Todd BoehlyCredit: Getty
      Thomas Tuchel was sacked by Chelsea yesterdayCredit: AP More

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      Inter Milan chief hints Romelu Lukaku’s transfer future could be back at Chelsea after Thomas Tuchel’s shock sacking

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      INTER MILAN director Giuseppe Marotta has said talks with Chelsea on Romelu Lukaku’s future will go ahead at the end of the season.Lukaku returned to Inter on loan in the summer after a miserable campaign at Stamford Bridge.
      Romelu Lukaku returned to Inter Milan on loan in the summerCredit: Getty
      In a bombshell interview with Italian TV last year, Lukaku hit out at Thomas Tuchel while he was still playing for the club.
      The 29-year-old claimed he was not happy with the German manager’s tactics.
      But now Tuchel has been ruthlessly sacked by American businessman Todd Boehly, the new owner may want £97.5million man Lukaku as part of the club’s plans going forward.
      And Marotta said “it’s difficult to predict” what will happen with the striker after an agreement in principle had been reached for Lukaku to spend a SECOND year on loan at San Siro.
      Read More On Chelsea
      That was back in July, but now Tuchel is gone Boehly could rethink his plans, with Graham Potter currently in talks to become the next gaffer.
      Speaking to Sky Italia on Lukaku after Tuchel’s sacking, Marotta said: “It’s fresh news. I don’t know what the effects will be.
      “We absolutely want to get the best contribution out of Lukaku, and then at the end of the season we’ll sit down and discuss him with Chelsea.”
      “I don’t know if a change of coaches means that his return is to be automatic, it’s difficult to predict today.”
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      Lukaku scored once and provided one assist in three games for Inter before picking up a thigh injury.
      His No9 shirt at Chelsea has been taken by deadline day signing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
      The Blues swooped for the former Arsenal man to replace Lukaku as the only out and out striker at the club. More

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      Graham Potter CANCELS today’s press conference as Brighton manager set for further talks with Chelsea to replace Tuchel

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      GRAHAM POTTER has CANCELLED his Brighton press conference that was scheduled for today.The 47-year-old is currently in talks with Chelsea about taking over from the sacked Thomas Tuchel.
      Graham Potter will not hold a Brighton press conference todayCredit: Getty
      Potter had been due to address the media today ahead of Brighton’s trip to Bournemouth on Saturday.
      But the scheduled press conference will no longer be going ahead, according to The Athletic.
      Instead Potter is expected to continue discussions with Chelsea after positive discussions yesterday.
      SunSport exclusively revealed yesterday that the Blues want Potter in the dugout in time for Saturday’s derby clash against Fulham.
      Read More Chelsea News
      Potter is owner Todd Boehly’s No1 choice to replace Tuchel, and if a deal is struck today he will be in charge for the short trip to Craven Cottage.
      The former Swansea manager was on the south coast yesterday for a club photoshoot and training.
      But after being informed of Chelsea’s interest he was quickly whisked to London to meet with club chiefs.
      Brighton gave Potter the green light to travel to London when it was made clear that Chelsea were willing to fork out for his services.
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      The Blues are prepared to pay a minimum of £20million to prise Potter away from the Seagulls.
      Boehly swung the axe and sacked Tuchel after Tuesday night’s shock 1-0 defeat to Dinamo Zagreb in the Champions League.
      However, the decision to relieve Tuchel of his duties had been coming for some time.
      Boehly is eager to change the culture at Chelsea and move away from the hire and fire approach at Stamford Bridge.
      The American businessman wants to appoint a long-term manager who will lead the club forward for a number of years. More

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      Sacking Thomas Tuchel doesn’t scream ‘same old Chelsea’ as brave Todd Boehly opts for modest, low-profile Graham Potter

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      WHEN Thomas Tuchel was brutally sacked on Wednesday, the temptation was to shrug your shoulders and say: “New owner, same old Chelsea”.After all Todd Boehly, the frontman for the Blues’ new ownership, had just sanctioned a record £259.1MILLION summer transfer spend, only to axe a popular manager six days after the window shut.
      Tuchel was sacked by Chelsea on Wednesday morningCredit: Getty
      Potter looks set to be appointed the new Chelsea bossCredit: Getty
      But while that sacking came straight out of the Roman Abramovich playbook, Boehly’s decisive approach for Brighton boss Graham Potter was a major departure.
      Potter is a modest, low-profile, over-achieving British boss, quite unlike any manager appointed by Chelsea over the previous 20 years — or by any of the Premier League’s “Big Six” in the best part of a decade.
      So his imminent appointment is an intriguing one.
      Of course, we still had to stifle giggles at reports of Chelsea selling Potter the idea of a “long-term project”.
      READ MORE ON CHELSEA
      Especially given that Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, a 33-year-old loose cannon, had just been bought from Barcelona on the say-so of his old Borussia Dortmund boss Tuchel — only to see him sacked after 59 minutes of football for his new club.
      Boehly is a very different owner to Abramovich — a hands-on, front-of-house, limelight-hogger.
      He is also a Hollywood type, in thrall to celebrity.
      We know that the American hoped to sign Cristiano Ronaldo, 37, when the ageing Galactico wanted out of Manchester United this summer, but was given short shrift by Tuchel.
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      So perhaps the idea of a “long-term project”, is just the latest short-lived idea to have occurred to Boehly.
      There was much amusement at the briefings, in the immediate aftermath of Tuchel’s exit, that Chelsea had drawn up a three-man shortlist, which included Potter, Mauricio Pochettino and Zinedine Zidane.
      This seemed to sum up Boehly’s scattergun approach to running the club: “So, the sort of manager we want is a former Football League left-back, who’s worked his way up through the Swedish lower leagues and done brilliantly on a low budget at Brighton.
      “Either that or one of the greatest footballers the world has ever seen, who’s won three European Cups but never managed anyone other than Real Madrid. So, yeah, that’s the kind of profile we’ve narrowed it down to.”
      Yet Potter was clearly the No 1 choice on that shortlist.
      He has enjoyed sustained success in sensible, stable environments at Swedish club Ostersunds and at Brighton, either side of a single season with Swansea City.
      But he is now going to the most wildly unstable club on the planet.
      A brief summary of Chelsea Football Club since 2010 says it all — from winning the Double, to meltdown, to winning the Champions League, to meltdown, to winning the Premier League, to complete and utter meltdown, to winning the Premier League, to meltdown… 
      From transfer embargo, to becoming European and world champions, to having an owner sanctioned for links to a land war in Europe, to a record summer transfer spend, to sacking the manager who chose those players.
      So it is fair to say that Potter is heading into unfamiliar territory and it’s no surprise that when he met Chelsea on Wednesday afternoon, it was a case of Boehly having to sell the job to the Seagulls boss, rather than vice versa.
      In the past decade, only one Englishman has been named as a “Big Six” boss — Frank Lampard.
      But he was a very different kind of appointment to Potter — a club legend installed to reconnect the club with its roots and promote a talented group of youth players during a transfer embargo.
      Potter is being appointed entirely on merit and deserves the step up.
      Yet this appointment is high-risk for club and manager, not least because of the hefty compensation fee Chelsea will pay Brighton, on top of the vast pay-off for Tuchel and his staff.
      Chelsea owner Boehly, right, looks set to replace Tuchel with PotterCredit: PA
      At the Seagulls, Potter enjoyed the virtues of patience and modest expectations.
      He was not an immediate success and, throughout his time at the Amex, was able to ride out some poor runs of form, especially at home, where they won just once in 14 matches between September and May last season.
      The 47-year-old Brummie is entering a shark pool — where player power remains a greater factor than at any of England’s other major clubs and where owners, new to football, appear to be fumbling in the dark.
      Potter does not have the charisma or fame to demand instant respect.
      He will have to win over Chelsea’s players with the quality of his coaching and man-management.
      It will be fascinating to see how he handles some big egos, especially Aubameyang who was stripped of the Arsenal captaincy and bombed out by Mikel Arteta.
      Chelsea have shelled out £160m on the defensive trio of Wesley Fofana, Kalidou Koulibaly and Marc Cucurella, from Potter’s Brighton.
      Yet they haven’t kept a clean sheet in six matches and conceded ten goals.
      Potter must revive fortunes after a poor start in both the Premier League and the Champions League after Tuchel presided over successive away defeats at Southampton, Leeds and Dinamo Zagreb.
      Yet however humble and sensible Potter is, he remains ambitious.
      Had he turned down the chance to manage Chelsea, other major clubs may have shied away.
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      And Boehly’s Blues, for all the early chaos, does not feel like the “same old Chelsea” of the Abramovich era.
      The decision to go for Potter suggests it. And if Boehly sticks with his idea of a “long-term project”, then we will know as much. More

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      Tuchel naive at best, stupid at worst, for staying loyal to Chelsea as he’s sacked two weeks after contract talks

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      THOMAS TUCHEL was talking new contracts with Chelsea just two weeks ago.Now he is looking for a new job.
      Tuchel was sacked on Wednesday following defeat to Dinamo ZagrebCredit: Getty
      Back then he confirmed SunSport’s exclusive story that the club wanted him to commit to a new deal with a few simple words, then moved on to stress that the most important thing was the team.
      When rudderless Manchester United made it plain they quite fancied Tuchel as their next manager towards the end of last season, the German was outspoken in his commitment to his employers.
      He would not jump ship and was happy to stay loyal to the club that gave him a chance to manage in the Premier League and raise his profile beyond all previous measure.
      On reflection, the uber-intellectual coach dubbed ‘The Professor’ looks naive at best, stupid at worst.
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      That is because his sacking confirms there is no place for sentiment at Stamford Bridge and that loyalty will ultimately do for you.
      Tuchel was not expecting to get the chop so few hours after his team’s collapse in Croatia.
      He acknowledged relations with chairman Todd Boehly had been on the slide for some time.
      But he did not realise that an opening group game 1-0 defeat to Dinamo Zagreb was the moment his boss had been waiting for.
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      And he took the punch right between the eyes at the training ground just before 10am having only got back to England at around 4am.
      He admitted to not seeing Tuesday’s hopeless performance from his players coming.
      He should have seen what was coming next though.
      All summer, there has been a steadily brewing discord between Tuchel and the new board of directors he reported to — but in particular Boehly.
      The German is likely to be replaced by Brighton’s Graham PotterCredit: Alamy
      Disagreement over Boehly’s desire to sign Cristiano Ronaldo from Manchester United went Tuchel’s way and the plan was dropped.
      That disagreement highlights the different philosophies of the two men about players.
      Boehly clearly fancies razzmatazz and showbiz signings when it comes to players.
      He loved being pictured with new arrivals and hanging around and shooting the breeze with them at the training ground.
      Tuchel disagreed with Boehly’s desire to sign RonaldoCredit: Alamy
      Tuchel’s preference was for a new centre-half.
      He got two in the end but despite a world record investment of £259.1million in the summer, Chelsea’s head coach was still not happy.
      To the extent that after the recent embarrassing 2-1 defeat at Southampton, a message was sent to a Chelsea director containing extremely colourful language about the state of the squad.
      The dithering over a deal for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was another bone of contention.
      There is a feeling Tuchel had a blind spot for AubameyangCredit: Rex
      At 33, Chelsea did not fancy handing out a three-year deal to a player many see as way past his prime. Understandably so.
      There is a feeling that Tuchel has a blind spot for Aubameyang. That he is starstruck by the wayward striker’s glittering personality.
      And that, having managed him seven years ago, he could bring back the 25-year-old Aubameyang.
      Chelsea struck a compromise with Aubameyang.
      The striker signed on a two-year deal with an option for a thirdCredit: Getty
      A two-year contract with the option of a third to keep him on his toes.
      He only made his Blues debut on Tuesday — seven games into the season and almost two months since striker Romelu Lukaku went back to Inter Milan.
      Managerial sackings at Chelsea are as much a part of daily life as groin strains.
      The joke is that the club uses non-drying paint to mark out the coach’s car park space at the training ground.
      Chelsea are expected to appoint a manager who’ll be in charge for the long-term futureCredit: EPA
      In Tuchel’s case the story is a fascinating one given the way the geeky-looking, 6ft 5in beanpole, managed to grow even more in stature while steering his club through the worst moments in their 117-year history.
      When Russia invaded Ukraine in February, Chelsea were unwillingly dragged into a war through Roman Abramovich’s links to Russian leader Vladimir Putin.
      Government sanctions, a stranglehold on finances, an emergency takeover ordered by No 10. The very existence of one of our top clubs called into question.
      While the hierarchy took the chance to cower in a bunker and hide from the public, Tuchel took on the role of leading statesman.
      Boehly and Co spent upwards of £250m in the transfer windowCredit: Getty
      Cannot afford a plane to fly to Lille? “I’ll drive the bus,” he said.
      He was also honest in admitting most rival clubs would be delighted to see his team failing.
      There followed a series of Churchillian addresses during the height of the crisis and during which he landed the one trophy that had up to then eluded Chelsea — the Club World Cup.
      This followed victory in the European Super Cup, a few months after winning the Champions League.
      Tuchel leaves Chelsea with three trophies under his beltCredit: Getty
      There is no doubt that Chelsea have fallen away in recent times and the team was an utter shambles against Zagreb.
      Master tactician Tuchel was unable to plot a course past a side with one twelfth the budget of his.
      Formations changed, baffling substitutions made, sulky fringe players dragged off the bench to try to save his neck and it failed.
      Boehly and his cohort from US investors Clearlake Capital promised many things when their £4.25bn takeover was announced on May 22.
      The German guided Chelsea to their second-ever Champions LeagueCredit: Getty
      They were careful not to pledge public loyalty to the head coach.
      Even so, you might have expected there to a bit of credit in the bank from the way Tuchel kept the ship afloat during stormy waters.
      Had he signed that new two-year deal, Tuchel would have collected a substantial pay rise.
      He will now walk away with a pay-off worth nearly £13m.
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      Either way, he will not go short and the odds are that he will be back in management again soon.
      And even the Professor may have learned a lesson about public loyalty. More