Brighton & Hove Albion have granted Chelsea permission to speak to Graham Potter as the Blues look for a replacement for the sacked Thomas Tuchel.
The Blues confirmed on Wednesday morning that Thomas Tuchel had been relieved of his duties, with the London club now looking for a new head coach.
Mauricio Pochettino, who left PSG in the summer, and ex-Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane are two names that have been connected with the position.
Graham Potter, on the other hand, appears to be the club’s first choice, having been identified due to his remarkable performance with Ostersunds, Swansea City, and Brighton.
According to Sky Sports News reporter Rob Dorsett, Brighton have agreed to let Chelsea hold negotiations with the Englishman over a possible move to Stamford Bridge.
BREAKING: Brighton have given Chelsea permission to speak to Graham Potter ✅ pic.twitter.com/B6g17mn4UF
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) September 7, 2022
Dorsett adds that Chelsea appear to be willing to pay the compensation clause in Potter’s contract, which is estimated to be over £16 million.
The Brighton manager is expected to go to London this afternoon to meet with Blues owner Todd Boehly, with an announcement expected soon.
Graham Potter led Ostersunds in Sweden for seven years before heading to Swansea for a year before being appointed Brighton manager in May 2019.
Related: Thomas Tuchel Sacked By Chelsea FC New Boss Todd Boehly
In 135 matches as manager of the Seagulls, he has a record of 42 wins, 46 draws, and 47 loses, and he led them to a ninth-place finish in the Premier League last season.
Albion have also had a strong start to the 2022-23 season, collecting 13 points from six Premier League games to sit fourth in the league.
Tuchel’s final game as Chelsea manager was a 1-0 loss to Dinamo Zagreb in the Champions League on Tuesday, but the decision to fire him was apparently made before that game.
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