Chelsea set to pay 17 MILLION release clause to get Tuchel's replacement
The German manager's seat is still warm but the Blues have already found his replacement, although he won't come cheap
Todd Boehly didn't drag his feet. The owner of Chelsea sacked Thomas Tuchel from his position as manager of the Blues and just hours later he has already signed his replacement. Graham Potter will be the manager of Chelsea, but not before the Stamford Bridge side pays £17 million.
Graham Potter is one of the best managers in the Premier League. He slowly built his coaching after a modest playing stint, starting at Swedish side Östersunds FK, where he coached for seven years before making the jump back to the English leagues with Swansea FC.
A single season with the Swans earned him the job at Brighton and Hove Albion, where he constructed a team praised for their style of play, who are currently fourth in the Premier League. Now he's making the jump to a big six club in Chelsea, who had to pay the £17 million release clause in his contract.
In the last hours of Wednesday, Potter traveled to London to meet with Boehly and sign his contract with Chelsea. The next step is for Potter to give his last press conference as Brighton manager next Friday and announce his departure before the game against Bournemouth.
While there were reportedly a number of managers offerered to the Blues to take over Tuchel's seat, it is understood that owner Todd Boehly wanted only Graham Potter. Now, the 47 year old Englishman will sign a five year deal with Chelsea, with wages close to £4.3 million.