Graham Potter has signed a £50m five year deal - and will have a say on Chelsea’s new sporting director.
Potter, 47, takes over at Stamford Bridge with a clear brief to win trophies and be a long term appointment after succeeding Thomas Tuchel. It is a mega deal for Potter after Chelsea had to pay Brighton £20m compensation to land their first full time English boss since Glenn Hoddle.
But Chelsea’s owners Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali are also determined to restructure the club with a new sporting director set to come in before the World Cup. Former boss Thomas Tuchel was unlikely to get a say in the appointment and the previous regime always kept the managers separate from the sporting director or director of football role.
But the new Chelsea hierarchy are determined to involve Potter in all major decisions which underlines their faith in him for the long term and his ability to build a dynasty at Stamford Bridge.
Potter will also become one of the Premier League’s top earners with a deal spread over five years which also highlights they are determined to move away from the hiring and firing days of Roman Abramovich. Potter said: “I am incredibly proud and excited to represent Chelsea FC, this fantastic football club.
“I am very excited to partner with Chelsea’s new ownership group and look forward to meeting and working with the exciting group of players and to develop a team and culture that our amazing fans can be proud of. I would also like to place my sincere thanks to Brighton & Hove Albion for allowing me this opportunity.”
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Boehly said: “We are thrilled to bring Graham to Chelsea. He is a proven coach and an innovator in the Premier League who fits our vision for the club.
“Not only is he extremely talented on the pitch, he has skills and capabilities that extend beyond the pitch which will make Chelsea a more successful club.
“He has had a major impact at his previous clubs and we look forward to his positive impact at Chelsea. We look forward to supporting him, his coaching team and the squad in realising their full potential in the coming months and years.”
