Graham Potter: Chelsea sack head coach one day after Blues beaten by Aston Villa | Football News

April 1, 2023 admin

Chelsea have sacked Graham Potter as their head coach.

Potter was appointed on September 8 on a five-year deal, but has left the club just seven months into that contract, after winning seven of his 22 Premier League games in charge.

“I feel for Graham Potter, but it was inevitable,” summarised Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher. “You don’t change Tuchel for Potter. Ridiculous decision to start with.”

Potter’s departure follows Chelsea’s 2-0 defeat at home to Aston Villa, a result which left the Blues 11th in the Premier League table, 12 points behind fourth-placed Manchester United. During the Stamford Bridge defeat, a section of Chelsea supporters sang: “you don’t know what you’re doing” at Potter.

Former Brighton defender Bruno Saltor has been appointed as interim head coach, with his first game being a home game against Liverpool on Tuesday, live on Sky Sports.

Chelsea face Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-finals later this month.

Speaking about Potter’s sacking, a statement from Chelsea co-owners Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali said: “On behalf of everyone at the club, we want to thank Graham sincerely for his contribution to Chelsea.

“We have the highest degree of respect for Graham as a coach and as a person. He has always conducted himself with professionalism and integrity and we are all disappointed in this outcome.

“Along with our incredible fans, we will all be getting behind Bruno and the team as we focus on the rest of the season.

“We have 10 Premier League games remaining and a Champions League quarter-final ahead. We will put every effort and commitment into every one of those games so that we can end the season on a high.”

Potter’s final words as Chelsea manager

Former Chelsea manager Graham Potter after his side’s 2-0 loss to Aston Villa on Saturday:

“We came in September, there’s a lot of games, a lot of injuries. It’s difficult to have consistency you want as you’re playing a lot of matches. Today is a bit of a setback, of course it is, we’re disappointed to lose. At home, we can feel pain of supporters. We have to dust ourselves down and go again for Tuesday.

“I understand when you lose at home, the emotions of the game is such that people are going to be disappointed, frustrated. angry. We’re not happy with where we are in the table. Whatever criticism comes, we have to accept.

“They [the players] are professional footballers, they play for Chelsea. They understand demands, they’re not stupid. They accept responsibility, are honest and want to do better. They are fighting for each other and fighting together.”