Chelsea appoint Brighton coach Graham Potter to replace Tuchel

Chelsea have appointed Graham Potter as the new manager of the club following the sacking of Thomas Tuchel.

The Blues announced the deal in a statement on its website on Thursday.

The English tactician, who is moving to Stamford Bridge from Brighton and Hove Albion FC, penned a five-year contract.

“Chelsea Football Club is delighted to welcome Graham Potter as our new Head Coach, joining us on a five-year contract to bring his progressive football and innovative coaching to the Club,” the statement reads.

“Potter is one of the most exciting coaches in the game, starting his journey in Sweden before bringing his talents to the English game over the past four seasons. The 47-year-old is educated to degree level in disciplines beyond sport and has combined these experiences to forge a collaborative, forward-thinking approach while developing attacking and winning football.

“That has been in evidence during his time at Brighton & Hove Albion, where he achieved that club’s highest-ever league finish last season. Along the way, he earned praise for his winning brand of football on the south coast, while proving flexible in tactics and formations to be a step ahead of opponents.”

Chelsea parted ways with Tuchel on Wednesday, a few hours after the club’s shocking loss to Dynamo Zagreb in the opening game of the 2022/2023 UEFA Champions League (UCL) campaign.

The result was the team’s third consecutive away loss in the new season after a 3-0 rout at Leeds United was followed by a 2-1 defeat at Southampton.