It’s all change at Chelsea, where Graham Potter has been appointed as the new manager after Todd Boehly made the bold decision to sack Thomas Tuchel this week.
Potter has moved from Brighton on a five-year contract to work under the Blues’ ownership group and hopefully turn around what has been a bumpy start to the season. That won’t begin this weekend, as was initially planned, against Fulham on Saturday morning, after scheduled fixtures were postponed as a mark of respect following the death of Queen Elizabeth II, aged 96.
Instead, Blues fans will have to wait a bit longer to get a first glimpse at what a Graham Potter Chelsea side looks like. In the meantime, Mirror Football brings you the very latest headlines from around the club.
Boehly promises new era
Chelsea are not renowned for their patience with managers, but Boehly believes Potter is the man for the long run and he will therefore stick by him through thick and thin – even if he misses out on the top four.
Jose Mourinho, Luiz Felipe Scolari and Andre Villas Boas were all sacked by former owner Roman Abramovich once the prospect of securing Champions League football was fading and the Russian oligarch had 14 different managers during his 20 years at Stamford Bridge.
That era has now ended. Boehly and the Clearlake Capital investors think Potter can build a squad, improve and develop young players and enjoy sustained success both in the Premier League and in Europe. He will therefore be given some leeway if things subside.
Potter’s unveiling pushed back
Potter was announced as the new Chelsea manager on Thursday, just a day after Tuchel was shown the exit. But fans will have to wait to hear from the new boss, with Chelsea taking the decision to postpone his first press conference following the sad news.
"As the nation enters a period of mourning following the passing of Her Majesty the Queen, we do not feel it is appropriate to proceed with media scheduled for today," a club statement read.
"We have therefore made the decision to cancel this press conference. We apologise for any inconvenience this causes, particularly to those who may have already started travelling to the training ground.”
Savage not convinced by changes
Chelsea may be signalling the end of the hire-and-fire culture, but Mirror Football columnist Robbie Savage is far from convinced it will last.
“A culture change at Chelsea? Graham Potter in for the long haul? I believe it when it happens. The last time a Chelsea boss lasted five years - the length of Potter’s contract - was Dave Sexton who was sacked in 1974,” he writes in his column.
“Do I feel sorry for Tuchel? Well, he won the Champions League. But you have to judge the dressing room mood, the plan, the feel. The owners will have thought long and hard and it will not be an easy decision. You look at Chelsea’s performances this season and there is a problem. Tuchel said “everything was missing”. He paid the price for that.
“I don’t understand spending all that money in the summer window and then getting rid of the manager when the window shuts.”
