Chelsea made the decision to part ways with Graham Potter after their Premier League defeat to Aston Villa. Following the loss, the Blues sit in eleventh with a crucial Champions League quarter-final against Real Madrid on the horizon.
Internal talks on Potter's future took place on Sunday, with the decision seemingly taken to remove him from the helm at Stamford Bridge. Their full statement read: "Chelsea FC has announced that Graham Potter has departed the club. Graham has agreed to collaborate with the Club to facilitate a smooth transition. In his time with the club, Graham has taken us to the quarter-final of the Champions League, where we will face Real Madrid. Chelsea would like to thank Graham for all his efforts and contribution and wish him well for the future."
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.
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"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."
The first test to fit with the co-owners' hopes of ending a poor season with some success comes against Liverpool on Tuesday evening. Both clubs have struggled for consistent form this season, and their meeting at Stamford Bridge could be defining for their respective fortunes.
Chelsea also face a major European clash against Madrid with the first leg set for April 12 and the second fixture the following week. But, who will be in charge for the games if a replacement for Potter is not appointed in the coming days.?
As part of the club statement, Chelsea confirmed that Bruno Saltor will take charge of the team as interim head coach. A pre-Liverpool press conference was set for lunchtime on Monday, but that could now be in doubt following the news.
Bruno was part of Potter's backroom staff at both Chelsea and Brighton, with the defender considered a club legend at the latter.
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