Chelsea Football Club announced today, Thursday, that Brighton coach Graham Potter has been appointed as the new coach of the team, succeeding Thomas Tuchel, becoming the second most expensive coach in the history of football.
Potter joins Chelsea a day after Tuchel was sacked, as the team sit sixth in the league with 10 points after six games.
Chelsea sacked Tuchel on Wednesday, a day after their shock away defeat by Croatian Dinamo Zagreb 1-0 in the first round of the Champions League group stage.
Chelsea finished third in the English Premier League last season, but is currently ranked sixth, after losing to Leeds United and Southampton.
"We are delighted to welcome new head coach Graham Potter to the club on a five-year contract, bringing his experience, innovative ideas and modern way of playing to the club," Chelsea said in a statement.
Chelsea Football Club is delighted to welcome Graham Potter as our new Head Coach!
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— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) September 8, 2022
The second most expensive coach in history
British reports said that Chelsea owner Todd Boehle paid Brighton 20 million euros to leave Potter, which would make him the second most expensive coach in history, after Julian Nagelsmann, who paid him Bayern Munich 25 million euros to terminate his contract with Leipzig.
Commenting on Potter's appointment, Buehle said: "We are delighted to bring Graham to Chelsea. He is a successful and innovative manager in the Premier League and fits our vision for the club. Not only is he extremely talented on the pitch, but has skills and abilities that go beyond the pitch and will make Chelsea a more successful club."
Tuchel coached Chelsea, succeeding Frank Lampard, and led the team to win the Champions League in his first season at the head of the technical staff, and then the team won the European Super Cup and the Club World Cup last season, under his leadership.
Potter's appointment comes before Chelsea and Fulham meet in the league on Saturday.
"I am very proud and excited to be coaching this fantastic club," Potter said. "I am very excited to be collaborating with the new owners of Chelsea and look forward to meeting such an exciting group of players and working to develop the team's performance and culture for all of the club's fans to be proud of."
"I would also like to extend my sincere thanks to the Brighton & Hove Albion officials for this opportunity and in particular Tony Bloom (owner and captain) and all the players, staff and fans for their continued support during my time at the club."
Potter, 47, took over Brighton in May 2019 and led the team to 15th, 16th and ninth places in the last three seasons.
Brighton is fourth in the standings this season with four wins, one defeat and one draw.
Potter previously coached Swansea City in the second tier before joining Brighton.