Nagelsmann the leading contender to replace sacked Potter at Chelsea
Julian Nagelsmann is the leading contender to replace sacked Graham Potter at Chelsea, with contact having already been made through intermediaries about the German moving to Stamford Bridge
- Graham Potter has been sacked as Chelsea manager after seven months
- It comes after a disappointing 2-0 loss to Aston Villa left them 11th in the table
- Julian Nagelsmann is the front-runner to replace Potter at Stamford Bridge
Chelsea sacked Graham Potter on Sunday after the club’s American owners finally lost faith in their first managerial appointment.
As Sportsmail revealed on Tuesday, former Bayern Munich head coach Julian Nagelsmann is among the contenders to replace Potter.
Stamford Bridge owners have been considering Potter’s future for a number of weeks following a dreadful Premier League season that leaves them languishing in mid-table.
While a number of influential figures behind the scenes had decided a while ago that Potter was not the right man to take the club forward, others believed the former Brighton boss deserved longer to prove his credentials.
The recent victories against Leeds, Borussia Dortmund and Leicester eased the pressure on Potter but the subsequent home draw versus Everton and Saturday’s loss to Aston Villa has cost Potter his job.
Julian Nagelsmann is the front-runner to become Chelsea’s next manager
Contact has already been made with the club, who are currently languishing in 11th
Well-placed sources told Sportsmail on Saturday night that Potter was in ‘massive’ trouble following the home loss to Villa – but the early indications were on Sunday morning that he would get the Liverpool game.
Indeed, the club sent out a media notice on Sunday morning confirming Potter would conduct the pre-Liverpool press conference.
However, the sense that Potter was no longer the right man to lead Chelsea accelerated after talks on Sunday afternoon and he sacked in statement that dropped at 8pm.
Bruno Saltor has been placed in interim charge.
The club’s co-controlling owners Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali said: ‘On behalf of everyone at the club, we want to thank Graham sincerely for his contribution to Chelsea.
‘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.’
It is understood that initial contact, through intermediaries, about the prospect of Nagelsmann replacing Potter have already taken place.
Graham Potter was sacked after 12 wins from 31 games as Blues boss, with Saturday’s 2-0 loss to Aston Villa the final straw for Todd Boehly
Chelsea may find difficulty in persuading the 35-year-old to take a job so soon after his sacking at Bayern at the end of last month.
Nevertheless, Nagelsmann has significant admirers at Stamford Bridge and is viewed by many as the strongest candidate.
Mauricio Pochettino, who was a contender for the position following Thomas Tuchel’s sacking in September, is available.
But the fact he was overlooked for the role as Chelsea eventually appointed Potter may suggest the Blues will explore other options first.
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