London – Chelsea confirmed Graham Potter as their new manager on Thursday a little over 24 hours after parting company with Thomas Tuchel six matches into the English Premier League season.
The 47-year-old Potter, who has earned a glowing reputation as a visionary coach at Brighton & Hove Albion, agreed a five-year contract with the six-time English champions.
His appointment is quite a departure for a club who usually select household names with experience at Europe’s top clubs, but signifies a likely change of approach.
He is the first managerial appointment under new American chairman Todd Boehly who led a takeover three months ago.
“We are thrilled to bring Graham to Chelsea,” Boehly said in a statement. “He is a proven coach and an innovator in the Premier League who fits our vision for the Club.
“Not only is he extremely talented on the pitch, he has skills and capabilities that extend beyond the pitch, which will make Chelsea a more successful Club.
“We look forward to supporting him, his coaching team and the squad in realising their full potential in the coming months and years.”
Tuchel, who won the Champions League for Chelsea a few months after replacing Frank Lampard at the start of last year, parted company on Wednesday, following Chelsea’s surprise loss to Dynamo Zagreb in the Champions League.
Chelsea spent round 250 million pounds (U.S. $287 million) in the summer transfer window, but they are sixth in the EPL with 10 points after six matches, losing at Leeds and Southampton.
The speed at which Potter was installed as Tuchel’s replacement suggests Chelsea had their eye on the man who cut his teeth at Swedish club Ostersund, taking them from the fourth tier to the top flight for the first time and into Europe.
Potter’s assistant Billy Reid, first team coaches Bjorn Hamberg and Bruno, goalkeeping coach Ben Roberts and assistant head of recruitment Kyle Macaulay will join him at Chelsea.
His first assignment will be away to local rivals Fulham on Saturday.
“I am incredibly proud and excited to represent Chelsea FC, this fantastic football club,” Potter said.
“I am very excited to partner with Chelsea’s new ownership group and look forward to meeting and working with the exciting group of players and to develop a team and culture that our amazing fans can be proud of.”
Potter’s flexible playing style, innovative coaching methods and attention to detail at Brighton have won many admirers including Pep Guardiola and Juergen Klopp.
(Reuters)