Brighton and Hove Albion have given Chelsea the green light to hold talks over Graham Potter becoming Thomas Tuchel's successor – with the club's new ownership group willing to pay the reported £10million release clause in Potter's contract.
football.london understands Potter and Mauricio Pochettino are the frontrunners in what is looking like a quick managerial recruitment process. Toddy Boehly is keen to get the next manager in place as soon as possible, with Anthony Barry currently in line to take proceedings at Craven Cottage on Saturday.
This all comes after the club announced on Wednesday morning they had parted ways with the Champions League-winning coach, a decision that was not solely based solely on the defeat to Dinamo Zagreb but on what has been brewing behind the scenes.
A statement from the club reads: "Chelsea Football Club has today parted company with head coach Thomas Tuchel. "On behalf of everyone at Chelsea FC, the club would like to place on record its gratitude to Thomas and his staff for all their efforts during their time with the club. Thomas will rightly have a place in Chelsea's history after winning the Champions League, the Super Cup and Club World Cup in his time here.
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"As the new ownership group reaches 100 days since taking over the club, and as it continues its hard work to take the club forward, the new owners believe it is the right time to make this transition.
"Chelsea's coaching staff will take charge of the team for training and the preparation of our upcoming matches as the club moves swiftly to appoint a new head coach.
"There will be no further comment until a new head coach appointment is made."
football.london understands Chelsea could have to pay as much as £10million to buy Potter out of his Brighton contract. Yet that has not put off the Blues' ownership group, who demonstrated this summer that they are not afraid to spend big if a target is deemed the right one.
Sky Sports have reported Potter and his entourage are London bound to discuss details of the proposal on the table before a final decision is made on his behalf. The former Ostersunds and Swansea manager has rejected approaches in the past from the likes of Everton and Tottenham before.
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