Just In: Graham Potter agreement with Chelsea revealed – See Details
Brighton & Hove Albion manager Graham Potter is set to become Chelsea’s new manager. There’s been an agreement in principle for the highly coveted football manager to depart Brighton for the London club.
According to ESPN reports, the 47-year-old and Blues co-owner held lengthy talks on Wednesday night and has verbally agreed to take the role.
Potter’s press conference on Thursday ahead of Brighton’s game this weekend has been canceled.
Instead, he will be at the training ground to say his final goodbyes to players and staff before traveling to London to sign a long-term contract.
Last Wednesday, Chelsea owner Todd Boehly met Potter in central London on Wednesday afternoon for what was described as “positive talks” about the Brighton manager’s future role at Stamford Bridge and the club’s plans to develop the whole football operation.
According to reports, the discussion continued early on Thursday morning, with the focus on the legal details of his contract and Potter’s backroom staff.
No contracts have yet been signed, however, both sides have reached a verbal agreement about the 47-year-old taking over at Stamford Bridge.
So far, Chelsea has shown willingness to meet Brighton’s exit clause figure for Potter.
Mauricio Pochettino and Zinedine Zidane, who are both out of work, as well as Sporting in Lisbon manager Ruben Amorim, were all also on Chelsea’s radar.
Potter will become the first managerial appointment of the Boehly era following his summer takeover. The American is still acting as the sporting director having moved on director Marina Granovskaia, chairman Bruce Buck and technical and performance advisor Petr Cech in a complete overhaul of Roman Abramovich’s trusted staff.
Potter will replace sacked Thomas Tuchel as the club’s head coach and is set to be in the dugout for Saturday’s Premier League trip to Fulham.
Although the details are yet to be finalized, Potter is expected to bring multiple staff members, including his assistant Billy Reid.
