Chelsea ‘consider leftfield’ Potter replacement not on three-man list

Graham Potter’s final press conference before Chelsea sacking

Chelsea are reportedly considering Marco Silva as a surprise possible replacement for the sacked Graham Potter. Silva apparently has admirers among the Stamford Bridge hierarchy for his excellent work at Fulham. 

The Blues’ West London rivals were comfortably promoted from the Championship last term and have enjoyed a remarkable Premier League season under Silva. It has been so good, in fact, that Fulham are a point ahead of 11th-place Chelsea in the top-flight table. 

Chelsea supposedly have a three-man shortlist of top candidates to succeed Potter, who was dismissed on Sunday evening. Former Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino is believed to be the No 1 choice for the job, despite being linked with a return to Spurs to replace Antonio Conte. 

Julian Nagelsmann, who was axed by Bayern Munich last week and is also in the running for the Spurs job, is liked by Chelsea chiefs. Roberto De Zerbi could also replace Potter for the second time this season. The Italian followed the 47-year-old into Brighton after Chelsea prised Potter away from the South Coast outfit. 

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But according to the Mirror, Chelsea could consider former Everton and Watford boss Silva as a fourth candidate. The 45-year-old has made Fulham a well-drilled, hard-working outfit and is reaping the benefits. After a tough spell with Everton, the ex-Hull tactician has revived his reputation in English football. 

Reports suggest that Chelsea will conduct an exhaustive search for their next manager, with co-owner Todd Boehly supposedly believing the new man can return a Champions League triumph in the near future. The last Blues boss to do so, Thomas Tuchel, was of course dismissed by Boehly earlier in the season. 

The American businessman and his fellow co-owner Behdad Eghbali reportedly backed Potter, and insisted he would be a long-term success, as recently as February. But a dismal run of just four wins in 19 Premier League matches, culminated by Saturday’s 2-0 defeat by Aston Villa, saw them twist the knife on a man for whom they paid Brighton around £21million in compensation last September.

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Potter will not be able to oversee the Champions League quarter-final tie against Real Madrid. Instead, his former first-team coach Bruno Saltor has been entrusted with the difficult role of interim manager until a permanent boss is found. 

“On behalf of everyone at the club, we want to thank Graham sincerely for his contribution to Chelsea,” a joint-statement by Boehly and Eghbali said. “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. We have 10 Premier League games remaining and a Champions League quarter final ahead. We will put every effort and commitment into every one of those games so that we can end the season on a high.”

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