Graham Potter has verbally agreed to take over as Chelsea’s new manager and he is likely to take position in the dugout for Saturday’s game against Fulham.
After Chelsea unexpectedly dismissed Champions League-winning coach Thomas Tuchel on Wednesday morning, the Englishman quickly became the front-runner for the vacant Stamford Bridge position.
The Blues are said to have spoken with Mauricio Pochettino as well, although Potter was their first choice, and talks between the two parties are reported to have gone well.
ππ₯πππππ‘π π‘ππͺπ¦: Chelsea hope to appoint Graham Potter as their new manager today.
Potter has indicated he is happy to join after face-to-face talks with Todd Boehly.
– talkSPORT understands pic.twitter.com/T6WikiVYbM
β talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) September 8, 2022
Brighton granted Chelsea permission to talk with their manager yesterday, and the London club is now hoping to complete the meeting today.
Is Graham Potter The New Chelsea Manager?
Graham Potter is said to have expressed his willingness to take over at Chelsea after meeting with Todd Boehly, who fired Tuchel exactly 100 days after taking over the club.
Potter is understood to have a release clause in his contract worth at least Β£12 million, leaving Brighton powerless to prevent him from departing.
Brighton staff including recruitment analyst Kyle Macaulay and first-team coach Billy Reid are expected to follow Potter to south west London.
Potter, who is finalising the contract details this morning, is expected to be appointed in time for Saturday’s West London derby against Fulham at Craven Cottage.
Related: Brighton Grant Chelsea Permission To Speak To Graham Potter
According to reports, Chelsea will have to pay up to Β£20mΒ in compensation to lure Potter away from the Amex Stadium, on top of the Β£15mΒ claimed to have cost them to fire Tuchel.
The Blues have just completed the most expensive transfer window in English football history, having spent more than Β£250mΒ on new signings this season.
Graham Potter will take over a squad that has lost three of their previous five games in all competitions, including a 1-0 Champions League setback to Dinamo Zagreb on Tuesday, which proved to be Tuchel’s 100th and final match in charge.
Chelsea is presently ranked tenth in the Premier League, five points behind early leaders Arsenal after six games.
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