CHELSEA have parted ways with their manager Graham Potter, the club have announced.
The decision was confirmed tonight, one day after Chelsea were beaten 2-0 at home by Aston Villa, a result that left the club in 11th spot in the Premier League.
“Chelsea FC has announced that Graham Potter has departed the club. Graham has agreed to collaborate with the Club to facilitate a smooth transition,” Chelsea stated on their official website tonight.
“In his time with the club, Graham has taken us to the quarter-finals 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.”
The club added that Bruno Saltor will take charge of the team as interim head coach.
Englishman Potter replaced Thomas Tuchel in September after the German was fired over poor performances.
However, after a decent start to his reign, results and performances plummeted to new depths under Potter, who had cost Chelsea millions of pounds in compensation to Brighton before the Seagulls let him leave.
Potter lost four out of his 12 Premier League home matches as Chelsea manager, and had the joint-lowest points-per-game return of any manager to take charge of 20 or more games for the club in the Premier League: 1.27, level with Glenn Hoddle.
Potter was signed on a five-year deal until June 30, 2027 but the club hierarchy decided to terminate his appointment to stop the decline.
Co-controlling 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.”
