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    Man Utd keen on Jude Bellingham, Declan Rice and Frenkie de Jong transfers with McTominay future up-in-the-air

    MANCHESTER UNITED are keen on the likes of Jude Bellingham, Declan Rice and Frenkie de Jong this summer, according to reports. Meanwhile, Scott McTominay’s future is uncertain.
    A host of big clubs want Jude Bellingham this summerCredit: Getty
    West Ham captain Declan Rice is an option for UnitedCredit: Alamy
    Man Utd could attempt to land Frenkie de Jong again after failed attempts last yearCredit: Getty
    Manager Erik ten Hag is keen to bolster his midfield options and is weighing up potential signings as well as exits.
    Jude Bellingham is wanted by United, but Borussia Dortmund could demand well over £100million.
    West Ham captain Declan Rice is also an option, with Arsenal joining them in the race to sign him.
    Man Utd are also expected to reignite their interest in Barcelona star Frenkie De Jong after their failed attempts to land him last year.
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    The LaLiga side may be forced into selling the Dutchman due to a desperate need to balance the books amid financial troubles.
    A space in the squad is expected to open up with McTominay potentially heading for the exit door, claim the Daily Mail.
    Man Utd previously rejected bids for him from Newcastle, but his availability is set to be re-considered at the end of the season.
    The Scot’s contract does not expire until 2025.
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    However, his career is supposedly at a “crossroads” with concern over his game time with Casemiro, Christian Eriksen, Marcel Sabitzer and Fred all competing for places.
    McTominay has only started 14 games this season, just eight of which have come in the Premier League.
    Man Utd are supposedly proud of the progress the player has made since joining the club when he was just five-years-old and there is sensitivity towards getting rid of him.
    Scott McTominay could leave Man Utd in the search for more first-team actionCredit: Getty More

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    Graham Potter’s mega Chelsea severance pay revealed with sacked boss due staggering amount of wages still

    GRAHAM POTTER is set for a huge windfall after being sacked as Chelsea manager.The Blues announced his dismissal on Sunday following the 2-0 defeat to Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge.
    Graham Potter will not be paid the entirety of his £50million contractCredit: Getty Images – Getty
    The result saw Chelsea slip to 11th place in the Premier League with Potter having won just 12 out of 31 games in charge.
    Potter replaced Thomas Tuchel as boss in September and agreed a five-year deal.
    But according to The Telegraph Chelsea do not have to pay Potter the full value of his contract, which would have totalled £50million.
    However, he will be due regular severance payments after being paid around £190,000 a week during his spell in West London.
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    Potter has been a very costly appointment for Todd Boehly and Chelsea, as the club paid Brighton £21.5million in compensation to hire the 47-year-old.
    That works out to around £3.1m spent for every Prem win, with Potter managing only seven.
    He leaves Chelsea with the joint-worst record of any manager in the club’s Premier League history.
    Only Glenn Hoddle matched Potter with a return of 1.17 points per game, with the latter also recording the lowest points total of any Blues boss in the Prem with 28.
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    Boehly will now turn his attention to appointing Potter’s successor though the club is in no rush.
    Former Brighton defender Bruno is set to take over until the end of the season while Boehly conducts a “long and thorough search” for his next manager.
    Julian Nagelsmann is the early favourite to take charge following his sacking by Bayern Munich last month, though the German has also been linked to Tottenham. More

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    Liverpool hold crisis talks after 4-1 thumping by Man City ahead of crunch clash against managerless Chelsea

    LIVERPOOL have held showdown talks following their demoralising defeat at Man City.The Reds took their fewest number of shots in a Premier League game for 12 years, in a 4-1 rout at the Etihad.
    Jurgen Klopp held showdown talks with his players on Sunday eveningCredit: Getty
    And Klopp even suggested Pep Guardiola’s men showed mercy on his side, rather than scoring more goals.
    He said: “We were lucky they were not in the greediest mood. Nothing good to say about this game.”
    Virgil van Dijk confirmed after the City defeat that a meeting would be held on Sunday evening and he expected strong opinions to be exchanged.
    The Dutchman commented: “It is a big day. If you’re losing the way we lost, then definitely there will be some hard talking.
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    “The turnaround is quite quick, with Chelsea on Tuesday. We’re trying, we’re trying. The first half was quite even against City.”
    However, Klopp at least has the comfort of knowing his job is safe for the time being, in contrast to Graham Potter, who has just been dismissed by Tuesday night’s opponents.
    A Chelsea statement 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.
    “In his time with the club, Graham has taken us to the quarter-final of the Champions League, where we will face Real Madrid.
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    “Chelsea would like to thank Graham for all his efforts and contribution and wish him well for the future.”
    “Bruno Saltor will take charge of the team as Interim Head Coach.”
    SunSport revealed yesterday that Potter held crunch talks with the Blues brass at the club’s Cobham training ground on Sunday afternoon.
    Potter met with Global Head of Transfers Paul Winstanley and Technical Director Laurence Stewart – both of whom recommended to the board that he be sacked. More

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    Man Utd LIVE: Club ready to pursue £90m Kane, Bruno Fernandes orders players to clap fans, takeover latest updates

    MANCHESTER UNITED are ready to move for Harry Kane, according to reports. Kane is out of contract with Tottenham from the summer of 2024 and with his price-tag set to dwindle, United are said to be keen on making a move as soon as possible.
    Club captain Bruno Fernandes was spotted ordering his Manchester United team-mates to clap the travelling fans after their 2-0 defeat at Newcastle.
    The Red Devils were beaten comfortably at St. James’ Park as the Magpies leapfrogged them into third.
    Elsewhere, manager Erik ten Hag is set to be offered a new contract by United regardless of whether a takeover is completed, according to reports.
    And we’ve got the very latest on United’s takeover talks.
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    Fergie time
    Sir Alex Ferguson will win ANOTHER medal to add to his giant collection – despite being retired for almost ten years.
    The 81-year-old Manchester United legend is the most decorated manager of all time, winning an incredible 49 trophies in his time in management.
    And now, FORTY YEARS on, he will secure a medal for a success not won with the Red Devils, but with Aberdeen.
    The Dons won the European Cup Winners’ Cup in 1983 with a stunning 2-1 win against Real Madrid in Gothenburg.
    But only the players who started that game and the five substitutes won medals for the triumph.
    However, thanks to a campaign led by Chris Gavin on behalf of the AFC Heritage Trust Fergie, his No2 Archie Knox and midfielder Dougie Bell, who missed the final because of injury, will also be rewarded.
    Credit: Action Images – Reuters
    Eriksen recovering well
    Man Utd star Christian Eriksen’s recovery is going well.
    Erik ten Hag said: “Eriksen is back on the pitch, not yet in the team training but I expect him in the coming week, [or] weeks, back in team training so will be available for games again.”
    There were concerns he was going to miss the rest of the season but it seems he will feature again at some point this term.
    Eriksen sustained an ankle injury in January’s FA Cup win over Reading.
    Neville slams Ten Hag
    Man Utd legend Gary Neville has slammed Erik ten Hag’s tactics during the Newcastle game that resulted in a shattering 2-0 defeat.
    But Neville has laid the blame squarely at the manager’s door for Newcastle’s killer second goal that killed the game.
    And the error? Taking off BOTH starting centre-halves at 1-0 down.
    That saw United go to a back three, with Lindelof partnered by regular full-back Luke Shaw and Diogo Dalot.
    Neville explained: “Once those changes were made this was the most predictable outcome. Manchester United just had no height in there.
    “You are better off having two with them both being centre-backs rather than three with two full-backs, you end up being really exposed.
    “Since the two centre backs went off it has been a mess, I didn’t like it.
    “I thought it might be like this. I never see one centre back working, it very rarely does.
    “Shaw is playing as a second centre-back anyway, you might as well have a proper one in there.”

    Sancho future unclear
    Man Utd manager Erik ten Hag is growing increasingly impatient with Jadon Sancho, according to reports.
    According to Manchester Evening News, the Dutchman is losing patience with Sancho – so much so that he could decide to let the winger leave at the end of the season.
    Sancho, who has made just five appearances in the last five months, could be sold as part of Ten Hag’s proposed clearout and rebuild.
    No CL, no problem
    Man Utd potential next owners Sheikh Jassim or Sir Jim Ratcliffe will both not be put off buying the club if Champions League football is again not secured.
    Man Utd dropped to fourth behind Newcastle after yesterday’s defeat.
    But the BBC claim that an on-field performance dip would lead to one of the parties pulling the plug.
    Shocking Stat
    Man Utd’s current goal difference of of +4 is the worst it has been after 27 games since 1989-90.
    They were on -3 after the same number of matches that season.
    Man Utd’s goal difference has been hit by shipping six to Man City, seven to Liverpool and four to Brentford amongst big defeats.
    Right-back update
    Plenty of news coming out of Man Utd around the right-back position… firstly, Diogo Dalot is close to agreeing a new contract at the club.
    Meanwhile, Erik ten Hag wants a new right-back if Aaron Wan-Bissaka is sold.
    Bayern Munich’s Benjamin Pavard has been linked with “exploratory talks” held.
    United begin Kane move
    Man Utd are ready to start their journey to sign Harry Kane, according to reports.
    The club do not want to involve themselves in a saga like with Frenkie de Jong last summer so are keen to find out whether the transfer is feasible from the player and Tottenham’s perspective.
    Kane is Erik ten Hag’s preferred choice.
    Credit: Reuters
    Players hold own inquest
    Man Utd players held their own dressing room inquest after their comprehensive 2-0 defeat at Newcastle.
    The Red Devils managed just one shot on target as the Magpies easily earned revenge for their Carabao Cup final defeat at Wembley.
    And the Daily Mail claims the players resolved to work out among themselves how they had allowed themselves to be outworked by the Toon.
    McTominay’s future unclear
    Scott McTominay’s future at Man Utd is uncertain and he could leave this summer.
    The Scot’s contract does not expire until 2025, but he is concerned over his playing time.
    McTominay has attracted interest from Newcastle and West Ham in the past.
    However, Man Utd are supposedly proud of the progress the player has made since joining the club when he was just five-years-old and there is sensitivity towards getting rid of him.
    United chase three midfielders
    Man Utd are keen on the likes of Jude Bellingham, Declan Rice and Frenkie de Jong this summer, according to reports.
    Manager Erik ten Hag is keen to bolster his midfield options and is weighing up potential signings as well as exits.
    Jude Bellingham is wanted by United, but Borussia Dortmund could demand well over £100million.
    West Ham captain Declan Rice is also an option, with Arsenal joining them in the race to sign him.
    Man Utd are also expected to reignite their interest in Barcelona star Frenkie De Jong after their failed attempts to land him last year.
    The LaLiga side may be forced into selling the Dutchman due to a desperate need to balance the books amid financial troubles.
    Newcastle mocked for celebration
    Footie fans mocked Newcastle’s wild celebrations after being Manchester United – reminding them they lost the League Cup final against the Red Devils.
    There were joyous scenes in the Magpies’ changing room after the monumental result – which the club shared on its official Twitter account.
    Manager Eddie Howe was mobbed by his troops after congratulating them on their performance and they posed for photos inside the dressing room shortly after.
    But they were promptly trolled for excessively celebrating the win, with one person tweeting: “Congratulations on winning the World Cup.”
    Another said: “Enjoy the 3 pts, Newcastle. We’ll enjoy the trophy!”

    Greenwood to be given chance?
    Mason Greenwood could be handed a chance by Man Utd as he aims to rejuvenate his career after charges against him were dropped.
    Reports from journalist Graeme Bailey say that some of the 21-year-old’s team-mates are open to having him back.
    The club’s hierarchy are also not ruling out his return. But he is not expected back in training anytime soon.
    His potential comeback could lead to much criticism and some sponsors could question their deals with United.
    Rooney’s top four predictions
    Newcastle may have just moved above Man Utd in the table after their 2-0 win yesterday, but Wayne Rooney thinks the Toon won’t finish in the top four.
    The DC United boss thinks the Red Devils will come third and Liverpool will come fourth.
    Rooney said: “The top four? A few weeks ago, there looked a possibility Manchester United could challenge for the Premier League title.
    “Erik ten Hag’s team fell short, but they could still end up with three trophies, and I’m sure will finish in the top four, then kick on after he buys a few players to strengthen in the summer.
    “So Manchester United will be there but I have a suspicion that Liverpool might sneak into it, thanks to the quality of their squad and their experience.
    “They’re capable of going on a run. I see Newcastle, despite the great job Eddie has done, falling just a little short.”
    Credit: Reuters
    Rooney makes title predictions
    Man Utd legend Wayne Rooney has insisted that Arsenal are the favourites to win the Premier League this season.
    The Gunners restored their eight-point lead over Manchester City on Saturday following a 4-1 win over Leeds.
    In his column for The Times, Rooney wrote: “The title race? Nothing would surprise me from Manchester City.
    “They could put together an incredible run and still win it but you have to say Arsenal are favourites.
    “Everyone has been waiting for them to drop off but they’ve been top of the league for so many weeks and dealing with the pressure all season. I don’t see a collapse from them.”
    Fernandes orders players to fans
    Bruno Fernandes was spotted ordering his Manchester United team-mates to clap the travelling fans after defeat at Newcastle.
    The Red Devils were beaten 2-0 at St. James’ Park as the Magpies leapfrogged them into third.
    After the final whistle, a host of dejected United players started to trudge straight off towards the tunnel.
    But the raging Fernandes was spotted blasting his team-mates.
    And he ordered them to follow him and go and acknowledge the away end.
    Credit: Rex
    Neville on Weghorst
    Pundit Gary Neville believes that Wout Weghorst is not good enough to start for Man Utd but does not deserve to be slammed.
    Neville said: “He doesn’t deserve to be criticised, I think he is doing his very best.
    “He works as hard as he possibly can but he just lacks the quality that a player in that position should have at Manchester United.
    “He’s filling in obviously with Martial being injured. [Cristiano] Ronaldo’s left. [Edinson] Cavani left at the start of the season.
    “Manchester United don’t have a centre-forward, really. In order to play football really well, you have to have a good centre-forward. It’s a rule.”
    Good morning United fans
    Bruno Fernandes was spotted ordering his Manchester United team-mates to clap the travelling fans after their defeat at Newcastle.
    The Red Devils were beaten 2-0 at St. James’ Park as the Magpies leapfrogged them into third.
    Lisandro Martinez fumed after being subbed in Manchester United’s defeat to Newcastle – but Red Devils fans directed their fury at manager Erik ten Hag instead.
    The Argentine centre-back was hooked for Facundo Pellistri in the 83rd minute of their defeat at St James’ Park.
    Martinez reacted angrily, slapping a chair as he went to take his seat.Ten Hag has torn into his Man Utd players, after their disappointing performance against Newcastle.
    Speaking after the game, Ten Hag told Sky Sports: “I hate to say it but they were better today – especially their determination, passion and desire. They wanted to win more so they won.
    “We had our opportunities but then you have to go for goal with the determination they did. It wasn’t good enough. We allowed them too many chances. You have to be hungry and give everything every game.
    “Our attacking game wasn’t good enough. I don’t want to focus on one person. It was a team performance.”
    Luke Shaw was convinced where the buck stopped after Man Utd were beaten easily 2-0 at Newcastle.
    “Not good enough,” Shaw told Sky Sports when asked about the team’s performance.
    “I feel like every time I speak after games I’m always honest. As a team we have to be honest.
    “I don’t think Newcastle won on quality today, they won on desire, passion, hunger, attitude. They had a higher motivation than we did.
    “That can’t be possible. I feel I say the same every time we lose. They wanted it more. At Man Utd that shouldn’t be possible.
    “It’s unacceptable. It’s not what we want to set out to be. In big games you need that hunger. We didn’t create too much.
    “Maybe you can say it’s been coming. Our levels dropped before the international break. We have three days to pick it back up.
    “The players had a chat in the changing room after with no staff round. It’s down to us. It was nowhere near good enough. We had to speak out in front of each other.
    “It’s important. We’re a team. When we go out onto the pitch, we have to fight for each other. Sometimes it hasn’t looked like that.
    “I’m sure we’ll speak again. We need to realise the problems quickly and change it round. We still can have a very good season but with results and performances like this we can’t.”
    Man Utd have been dealt a blow in their pursuit of Kim Min-jae with Liverpool reportedly keen on the Napoli star.
    He has attracted interest from a host of European clubs including Paris Saint-Germain.
    Napoli are believed to be keen to tie him down to a new contract as a result, which could include increasing his buyout clause to £79million.United have been linked to the South Korea international throughout the season.
    But it seems rivals Liverpool have overtaken them in the race to sign the 26-year-old, according to Foot Mercato.
    Dalot echoes Shaw’s feelings
    Diogo Dalot has echoed Luke Shaw’s sentiments that Newcastle United’s stars wanted the win more than the Red Devils.
    “Disappointment I think is the word, we wanted to come here and do what we planned,” Dalot told MUTV.
    “We tried to find spaces and we knew they wanted to press high, even after that, we tried to play, but we could have been more patient.
    “Especially in the last third, we could have been a little bit more patient with the ball to find the spaces, to create more chances. We have to show desire, beat them in desire and beat them in every challenge we have.
    “I think they wanted that a little bit more than us today and that can not happen. If we want to fight for more, want to compete for the Premier League, we have to be more consistent, come here and dominate the game.
    “We knew they were going to be intense and press high, but we have to beat it and be more consistent.”
    Weghorst future
    Erik ten Hag has spoken about the possibility of Wout Weghorst staying at Man Utd.
    The Dutch striker is currently on loan with the Red Devils until the end of the season.
    “Of course [he could stay permanently] and I think he is doing a lot of elements of football [I like] – doing them really well. And he’s doing a really good job for us,” he said.
    “Pressing: he is the leader of the process in pressing, starts the press, very good in backward pressing. He is taking up positions, his link-up play he’s doing really well. He is making good movements, making space for others, so he’s also good in set-plays, so he is really contributing to this team.
    “I think after Christmas we play 25 games and we lost two and he played almost all of the games so he is really part of the success.”
    Shaw slams team mates
    Luke Shaw was convinced where the buck stopped after Man Utd were beaten easily 2-0 at Newcastle.
    “Not good enough,” Shaw told Sky Sports when asked about the team’s performance.
    “I feel like every time I speak after games I’m always honest. As a team we have to be honest.
    “I don’t think Newcastle won on quality today, they won on desire, passion, hunger, attitude. They had a higher motivation than we did.
    “That can’t be possible. I feel I say the same every time we lose. They wanted it more. At Man Utd that shouldn’t be possible.
    “It’s unacceptable. It’s not what we want to set out to be. In big games you need that hunger. We didn’t create too much.
    “Maybe you can say it’s been coming. Our levels dropped before the international break. We have three days to pick it back up.
    “The players had a chat in the changing room after with no staff round. It’s down to us. It was nowhere near good enough. We had to speak out in front of each other.
    “It’s important. We’re a team. When we go out onto the pitch, we have to fight for each other. Sometimes it hasn’t looked like that.
    “I’m sure we’ll speak again. We need to realise the problems quickly and change it round. We still can have a very good season but with results and performances like this we can’t.”
    Ten Hag tears into his flops
    Erik ten Hag has torn into his Man Utd players, after their disappointing performance against Newcastle.
    Speaking after the game, ten Hag told Sky Sports: “I hate to say it but they were better today – especially their determination, passion and desire. They wanted to win more so they won.
    “We had our opportunities but then you have to go for goal with the determination they did. It wasn’t good enough. We allowed them too many chances. You have to be hungry and give everything every game.
    “Our attacking game wasn’t good enough. I don’t want to focus on one person. It was a team performance.”
    Slap in the face
    Lisandro Martinez fumed after being subbed in Manchester United’s defeat to Newcastle – but Red Devils fans directed their fury at manager Erik ten Hag instead.
    The Argentine centre-back was hooked for Facundo Pellistri in the 83rd minute of their defeat at St James’ Park.
    Martinez reacted angrily, slapping a chair as he went to take his seat.
    Fans were quick to comment on Martinez’s tantrum, with one saying: “Who saw Martinez on the bench? GRRRRRR.”
    Another said: “Martinez slapping the bench chair!”
    The Old Trafford faithful, however, directed their anger at Ten Hag as he also subbed Rafael Varane for fellow defender Victor Lindelof as they were chasing an equaliser.
    Fernandes wants fans respect
    Bruno Fernandes was spotted ordering his Manchester United team-mates to clap the travelling fans after defeat at Newcastle.
    The Red Devils were beaten 2-0 at St. James’ Park as the Magpies leapfrogged them into third.

    Second half goals from Joe Willock and Callum Wilson condemned United to their latest disappointment in the Premier League.
    A 7-0 drubbing to Liverpool, a goalless draw at home to Southampton, and then this mauling which left Erik Ten Hag shellshocked.
    It was a miserable afternoon all-round for United, with many fans questioning Ten Hag’s decision to leave out Fred.
    Defender blow
    Man Utd have been dealt a blow in their pursuit of Kim Min-jae with Liverpool reportedly keen on the Napoli star.
    He has attracted interest from a host of European clubs including Paris Saint-Germain.
    Napoli are believed to be keen to tie him down to a new contract as a result, which could include increasing his buyout clause to £79million.
    United have been linked to the South Korea international throughout the season.
    But it seems rivals Liverpool have overtaken them in the race to sign the 26-year-old, according to Foot Mercato.
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    Fans joke that ‘cup final was last month’ after Newcastle players celebrate wildly in dressing room after Man Utd win

    FOOTIE fans mocked Newcastle’s wild celebrations after being Manchester United – reminding them they lost the League Cup final against the Red Devils.Eddie Howe’s troops ran out 2-0 winners over a lacklustre United to further strengthen their pursuit of Champions League football.
    🔊 SOUND ON! 🔊Eddie Howe address his Newcastle players in the dressing room after their win against Man Utd! ⬇️👂 pic.twitter.com/Oca1P1X1Um— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) April 2, 2023

    There were jubilant scenes in the Newcastle dressing room after the win
    Fans mocked the Magpies for overcelebratingCredit: Getty
    There were joyous scenes in the Magpies’ changing room after the monumental result – which the club shared on its official Twitter account.
    Manager Eddie Howe was mobbed by his troops after congratulating them on their performance and they posed for photos inside the dressing room shortly after.
    But they were promptly trolled for excessively celebrating the win, with one person tweeting: “Congratulations on winning the World Cup.”
    Another said: “Enjoy the 3 pts, Newcastle. We’ll enjoy the trophy!”
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    And another said: “They win a game not a trophy FFS.”
    One chimed in: “The cup final was last month.”
    Ironically Newcastle lost the Carabao Cup final in February after barely laying a glove on United.
    But Toon had a lot to celebrate after the win at St James’ Park, which sees them leapfrog United into third place in the Premier League.
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    They schooled Erik ten Hag’s side with 22 shots compared to six.
    Goals from Joe Willock and Callum Wilson sealed the three points and put Newcastle in a strong position to qualify for the Champions League. More

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    Chelsea might have new owners but once again it’s the manager who is stabbed in the back as Graham Potter given his P45

    SO much for the long term. So much for Project Potter.The first manager appointed by Chelsea’s new ownership with a supposed new vision has been sacked after less than six months.
    Graham Potter was sacked by Chelsea on SundayCredit: Rex
    It came despite a promise of patienceCredit: Alamy
    In fact, Graham Potter becomes their shortest-serving permanent coach in the Premier League era.
    And chairman Todd Boehly and his sidekick Behdad Eghbali have learnt their most painful lesson about this particular club — and English football as a whole — very early on.
    On the day Queen Elizabeth II died last September, the two Americans prised Potter away from Brighton with a £50million, five-year contract.
    There was also the promise of patience. To anyone with any knowledge of Chelsea, that is a concept more alien than Martians landing on the Stamford Bridge pitch itself.
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    But it was all about slow burning, gradual building they insisted. Taking the best bits from other Premier League clubs bit by bit and ultimately moulding Chelsea into a global giant of the game.
    Plans to buy up foreign clubs — as Manchester City have done — was only part of the more philosophical idea.
    Arsenal’s masterplan of giving their bright, young head coach Mikel Arteta the stress-free environment in which to slowly plot a mountain hike up to the summit of the game was right up their street.
    Results were important but not the be-all and end-all. Even failing to finish in the top four this season — traditionally the minimum requirement at Stamford Bridge — was not a deal breaker.
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    The usual demand for a major trophy every season, the intense pressure of constantly sleeping with a suitcase by your bed in readiness for the axe was a thing of the past.
    But after barely half a year, Potter is gone because of a “lack of progress”.
    That may be the four wins in the last 13 games or the fact that some of the new signings made during the near £300m spend in the last transfer window have yet to shine. It probably relates to both.
    The players were in for training yesterday. A session for those who swerved the embarrassment of Saturday’s 2-0 home defeat by Aston Villa. Recovery for those who played.
    The entire squad left for home none the wiser and were under the impression that Potter was still the man for the job in the eyes of Boehly and Eghbali and would be in charge for tomorrow’s game against Liverpool.
    Yet behind the scenes the knives were being sharpened.
    And it was Potter’s supposed pal Paul Winstanley who was one the architects of the manager’s downfall.
    The head of global talent and transfers, along with technical director Laurence Stewart, recommended the change to the board of directors, citing their belief that the hugely expensive squad was going nowhere.
    That the new signings, many of them foreign and you would assume brought in by Winstanley and his team at vast expense, were not getting any better so something had to give.
    Eghbali took the well-trodden path to Chelsea’s lavish Surrey training ground once it was quiet and did the dirty deed, like so many of his predecessors under the previous regime of Roman Abramovich — who now looks like a gullible, loved-up Sugar Daddy compared to the new guys.
    It does not need a genius to realise Potter was struggling — results, odd team selections, tactics and a general sense of confusion were the overriding themes, easily overshadowing the odd bright spot.
    Playing senior players like winger Raheem Sterling as a right wing-back, banishing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang — the only out-and-out and fit striker on the books — from the matchday squad and sticking with Kai Havertz up front were three glaring examples of his peculiar methodology.
    Graham Potter has Chelsea’s joint-worst Premier League record
    Only last Saturday, when Chelsea were crying out for an attacking edge against Villa, he kept Mason Mount on the bench as the cries of “You don’t know what you’re doing” rang in his ears.
    Yet the constant drumbeat from within the walls of Stamford Bridge over time was that Potter could not have been more popular with his dream bosses, happy to spend almost £600m on 14 new players over the last two windows without getting any bang for their buck.
    It would all come good in the long term and Chelsea would slowly emerge from the chasing pack behind Arsenal and Man City to once again reign supreme in a glittering new dynasty that would last for years.
    Long-term contracts for players, a manager with the confidence of job security, a club on a steady treadmill to triumph.
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    There were many who suspected Boehly, Eghbali and their pals from Clearlake Capital were taking one helluva risk with this strategy at a club where the supporters have been brought up on regular trips to Wembley and beyond in search of silverware — and often finding it.
    The Yankee hedge-fund schemers are now more than £5billion and one manager down and sit 11th in the Premier League with a massive squad of players who are no better now than when Potter arrived. More

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    Chelsea players left STUNNED after Graham Potter sacked and only found out after club released statement on website

    CHELSEA players are said to have been STUNNED by the news of Graham Potter’s sacking – and only found out online. Potter was fired just six months after taking over from Champions League winner Thomas Tuchel.
    Chelsea players are said to have been stunned by the news of Graham Potter’s sackingCredit: Alamy
    But following a dire run of performances and results, he was axed as Blues boss with the club sat in 11th place.
    According to The Telegraph, worried players contacted their representatives on Sunday night after finding out the news.
    It is claimed the squad only found out about Potter’s departure through the official statement that was released at around 8pm.
    Those who had been part of the defeat to Aston Villa on Saturday had a recovery session on Sunday while the others trained as normal.
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    But the majority of the squad were given no prior notice of Potter’s sacking and returned home to find out via social media.
    One source told the paper: “Most of the players had no idea until they saw the statement.
    “People were asking who would be taking training on Monday and who is in charge for Tuesday.
    “Virtually all of them were in recovery or training on Sunday, so they were shocked to find this out at home.”
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    Potter was due to conduct his pre-match press duties on Monday ahead of the Liverpool game.
    But by 3pm the club had started the process of removing him following internal talks between Stamford Bridge bosses.
    It is understood Chelsea will not have to pay the full value of Potter’s £50m contract, which had four years left to run.
    Defeat to Villa – Potter’s SEVENTH of the season – pushed Chelsea into the bottom half of the table.
    And it proved to be the nail in the coffin for the club’s owners, who had witnessed the game from the stands.
    Sporting directors Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley are believed to have made the decision to sack Potter.
    And they were given the full support of co-controlling owners Boehly and Behdad Eghbali.
    Stewart and Winstanley – backed by Boehly and Eghbali – will now lead the process to find Potter’s permanent replacement.
    Julian Nagelsmann is among the favourites following his shock sacking at Bayern Munich, where Tuchel succeeded him.
    But Mauricio Pochettino – who was interviewed for the job last year before Potter was hired – is also in the mix.
    The Chelsea board have a relationship with Nagelsmann’s agent, as he also represents Timo Werner, who was sold back to RB Leipzig last summer.
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    Sporting director Stewart and technical director Christopher Vivell also worked with Nagelsmann at Leipzig.
    Bruno Saltor – a member of Potter’s coaching staff – has taken interim charge while Chelsea look for a permanent successor.
    Chelsea sacked manager Graham PotterCredit: Reuters More

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    Graham Potter had WORST record of any Chelsea boss in Premier League era and leaves club in bottom half of division

    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