Enough was enough. After 206 days, 38 games and only 17 wins, American owner Todd Boehly decided to part ways with the manager he chose to succeed Thomas Tuchel. As the club confirmed this evening, Graham Potter is no longer Chelsea coach. The five year deal he signed in September 2022 ended after just seven months. The last ‘straw’ was a 2-0 defeat against Aston Villa. The Blues executives waited one day, probably wanting to avoid to release a statement on April Fool’s day, but the inevitable happened tonight.BREAKING 🚨: Chelsea sack Graham Potter pic.twitter.com/LiNsChuWVn— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) April 2, 2023 Former Brighton coach asked to be released from his contract when he received a life-time opportunity to lead the Blues, and he did well at the beginning, as he was unbeaten for nine games. But instead of further progression, the team regressed under Potter and Chelsea soon became a laughing stock of the league. The club have spent 553 million pounds on new players since the takeover was completed, but under Potter, they lost to Brighton (4-1), Fulham, last placed Southampton and Tottenham, while drawing with relegation strugglers Everton and West Ham.„Chelsea FC has announced that Graham Potter has departed the club. Graham has agreed to collaborate with the Club to facilitate a smooth transition. In his time with the club, Graham has taken us to the quarter final of the Champions League, where we will face Real Madrid. Chelsea would like to thank Graham for all his efforts and contribution and wish him well for the future. Bruno Saltor will take charge of the team as Interim Head Coach“ reads the statement.Watch out Todd, the Premier League is out to get you!Saltor will have a tough time leading a disorientated team into the quarter-final of the Champions League, where they will face the reigning champions Real Madrid and in the league, where they are 12 points below the fourth place, which would lead them to the UEFA’s biggest competition. If the Chelsea brass want to appoint a permanent coach as soon as possible, only available coaches with an experience needed for the job are Mauricio Pochettino, Zinedine Zidane, Luis Enrique, Julian Nagelsmann and Brendan Rodgers.PREMIER LEAGUE – ROUND 29SaturdayMan City – Liverpool 4-1 (1-1)/Alvarez 27, De Bruyne 46, Gundogan 53, Grealish 74 – Salah 17/Arsenal – Leeds 4-1 (1-0)/Jesus 33 pen, 55, White 47, Xhaka 85 – Kristensen 76/Bournemouth – Fulham 2-1 (0-1)/Tavernier 50, Solanke 79 – Pereira 16/Brighton – Brentford 3-3 (2-2)/Mitoma 21, Welbeck 28, MacAllister 90 pen – Jansson 10, Toney 22, Pinnock 49/Crystal Palace – Leicester 2-1 (0-0)/Iversen 59 og, Mateta 90+5 – Pereira 56/Nott.Forest – Wolverhampton 1-1 (1-0)/Johnson 38 – Podence 83/Chelsea – Aston Villa 0-2 (0-1)/Watkins 18, McGinn 56/SundayWest Ham – Southampton 1-0 (1-0)/Aguerd 25/Newcastle – Man.Utd. 2-0 (1-0)/Willock 65, Wilson 88/Monday22:00: (3.50) Everton (3.35) Tottenham (2.25)***odds are subject to change***
