Graham Potter has been sacked by Chelsea just over six months into his five-year contract at Stamford Bridge. A 2-0 defeat to Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge on Saturday (April 1) proved to be the final straw for Todd Boehly and Co, who have decided to part ways with the former Brighton boss.
Graham Potter has been dismissed from his role as Chelsea manager (Image: Getty Images) Bruno Saltor, who followed Potter to west London from the south coast earlier this season, will take charge as interim head coach. A statement on the Blues’ club website read: “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.”
The £89 million signing was an unused substitute during wins against Leeds United and Borussia Dortmund. Potter who has now laid out a new plan, has now pushed Raheem Sterling into filling up the wide position. 
Addressing a press conference ahead of a Premier League match against Leicester today, March 11, the Chelsea Coach stated that while Murdryk is yet to be used, he is still part of his plan. He said; “Sometimes you need training time and a breather. It’s not a straight road where everything happens in a linear way. Sometimes you need to take a step away. It’s not easy to arrive in what was a pre-season for him in a new country, new league and new club and just hit his maximum level. The fee doesn’t change that. We’re positive about his future and we just need to help him settle in.” 
Though Chelsea has splashed out around £600 million ($723m) across the last two transfer windows, Potter has only gotten nine wins from 25 games. The 47-year-old who was handed the managerial reins at Stamford Bridge in September 2022, has said that he is “not stupid” and recognises that “people want something different” from the club. He told reporters; “I am not stupid or naive. My job is to keep going and keep helping and supporting the team and take that criticism. You can only be yourself and try your best while being yourself. I get it that when you are losing that there’s always something you should do or change. I have always been this way and it has gotten me to this point but, at the same time, I know people want something different.” 
Potter further listed some of the challenges he’s faced so far and which have impacted negatively on the club’s performance. He added; “There is transition and there’s factors but, at the same time, when the team is losing and we’ve had the results we’ve had then you can also understand it. We’ve invested in some young players, if you look at Enzo [Fernandez], [Noni] Madueke and [Mykhailo] Mudryk, they haven’t played that many games. They are learning to play in the Premier League. We’re managing quite an unprecedented injury list — so you have to manage that in the Premier League. All that is true but, unfortunately when you lose, it is not what people want to hear. I know my quality and I know what I have done in my career but I also understand than when results don’t go your way that you are open to criticism and that’s fair.” 
Chelsea’s inability to get a win in the match has left them languishing in 10th place, with 10 points adrift from the Premier League top four. Potter who spoke to reporters after the match, said they were forced to make changes after their 1-0 Champions League defeat to Borussia Dortmund. He said; “You have to see it for what it is. We had to make some changes because of the Champions League. “We’ve had to make some changes because of the situation we’re in and boys coming back from injury. When you make those changes, it can be difficult against a team that is well prepared.” 
Agbonlahor however accused Potter of only “complaining.” He told talkSPORT; “He should be sacked for that post-match interview. “What are you talking about? They haven’t got a manager, you’re playing a team in disarray who can’t get back-to-back wins together. “You’re complaining that you’ve had to bring Mykhailo Mudryk off the bench and start Joao Felix? Are you joking me? “Poor Graham! Poor you, Graham… Wow… I think as well… There is an English bias.” 😳 JO’H: “Graham Potter- is he winding me up?! This is Chelsea Football Club!” 👀 GA: “He should be sacked for that post-match interview!” O’Hara & Agbonlahor are left stunned after #CFC boss Graham Potter’s post-match interview with talkSPORT! 😱 pic.twitter.com/HAXiSdONIv — talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) February 18, 2023 
Chelsea currently sits at the ninth spot on the Premier League table and has recorded just one win in all competitions since the turn of the year. Speaking ahead of a match with West Ham this afternoon, Potter said; 
“My relationship has been consistent with [the owners]. We understand where we both are, where we see the team. We are working really well to keep improving. “The expectations have always remained the same, a team that ultimately wins. We know there is opportunities to make changes to the team when the window is open. I’m not stupid. If the results aren’t what this club should get, then I understand, if I’m the reason for it then that’s the job.” 
Chelsea’s coach, Graham Potter has reacted to loanee, Joao Felix being shown a red card on his Premier League debut against Fulham on Thursday, January 12. 
Felix lasted less than an hour before he was shown a straight red card for a high tackle on Fulham’s full-back, Kenny Tete. The match ended 2-1 in favour of the Cottagers. Speaking to reporters after the match, Potter said Joao Felix’s red card is “another hit” to his squad. The coach who appeared visibly exhausted after yet another league defeat, however, insisted that the newcomer was “really good” on his debut. 
Potter said; “It was a forwards tackle, there was no malice in it but I understand why it was a red. It is another blow, the hits keep coming at the moment. He was really good, you could see his quality in the game, so it is doubly disappointing for us. “I think we controlled the game early, won the ball back high, created some opportunities and maybe missed the last pass. We made a couple of mistakes for their goal. Second-half I think we responded well and then the red card changes the game… We’ve got to keep working, there are no other solutions.” 
