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

Chelsea have sacked Graham Potter as their head coach; Potter has lasted just seven months in the job at Stamford Bridge; former Brighton defender Bruno Saltor has been appointed as interim head coach; Chelsea play Liverpool on Tuesday, live on Sky Sports

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.

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