Chelsea Football Club announced the appointment of Graham Potter as new Head Coach on a five-year contract on Thursday, September 8, 2022.
Potter, who began his coaching career in Sweden before taking his skills to the English game four seasons ago, is one of the most entertaining coaches in the game.
The 47-year-old has a degree in a field other than sports and has used his expertise to create an approach that is collaborative and forward-thinking while generating an exciting and successful football format.
He demonstrated this while coaching Brighton & Hove Albion, as he led the team to its best-ever league finish last season (9th). Graham Potter left Brighton this season in the 4th spot on the league table, three points above 6th placed Chelsea.
In his first interview after he was appointed as Chelsea’s head coach, Potter said: “I am incredibly proud and excited to represent Chelsea FC, this fantastic football club. I am very excited to partner with Chelsea’s new ownership group and look forward to meeting and working with the exciting group of players and developing a team and culture that our amazing fans can be proud of.
“I would also like to place my sincere thanks to Brighton & Hove Albion for allowing me this opportunity and in particular Tony Bloom and all the players, staff, and supporters for their continued support during my time at the club.”
Chairman Todd Boehly said: “We are thrilled to bring Graham to Chelsea. He is a proven coach and an innovator in the Premier League who fits our vision for the Club. Not only is he extremely talented on the pitch, but he also has skills and capabilities that extend beyond the pitch which will make Chelsea a more successful Club. He has had a major impact at his previous Clubs and we look forward to his positive impact at Chelsea. We look forward to supporting him, his coaching team, and the squad in realizing their full potential in the coming months and years.”
Chelsea wrote on its official website that Graham Potter has been appointed as the new head coach and will take charge of the team immediately which means he would be in charge of the club’s Premier League game against Fulham on Saturday.
Why Did Chelsea Sack Thomas Tuchel?
The explanations for Thomas Tuchel’s dismissal as Chelsea manager have been made public. After Dinamo Zagreb defeated Tuchel’s team in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday, September 6, 2022, Tuchel was shown the door.
The writing was on the wall even though it wasn’t official. After Chelsea’s loss to Dinamo Zagreb, Futballnews assessed Thomas Tuchel’s prospects of keeping his job as manager. Despite Todd Boehly’s £273.5 million investment in the team, Chelsea appeared to be in trouble, with new defenders costing over £160 million.
The Blues have given up goals in their last six competitive games, indicating that their significant summer transfer expenditure did not improve their on-field performance.
Many commentators were shocked when Todd Boehly fired Thomas Tuchel because they assumed he made a snap choice that would later prove to be unwise.
Who is Graham Potter?
Graham Stephen Potter, a professional football manager and former player from England, was born on May 20, 1975. He is now Chelsea’s head coach in the Premier League.
Left-back Potter had a 13-year playing career and made 307 Football League matches. He also played for Southampton in the Premier League and Shrewsbury Town in the Football Conference. At the under-21 level, he received one international cap for England.
In January 2011, Potter began working as a manager for the Swedish team stersund. With stersund, he earned three promotions and the Svenska Cupen, helping them advance to the 2017–18 UEFA Europa League knockout round.
In June 2018, he was named manager of Championship team Swansea City. A year later, he moved on to coach Premier League club Brighton & Hove Albion. He was acquired by Chelsea in 2022.
Playing Career
Potter, a West Midlands native from Solihull, started his career as a trainee at Birmingham City.
He first played for Wycombe Wanderers on loan before moving on to Stoke City and Southampton in the Premier League, where he participated in the 1996 6-3 victory over Manchester United.
He received his England U21 cap while playing for Southampton against Moldova in a European Championships qualifier.
After three and a half years with West Bromwich Albion, which included loan stints at Northampton Town and Reading, he signed for York City.
In the summer of 2003, Potter relocated from York City to Boston United. In November 2003, he made a loan move to Shrewsbury Town.
In 2004, he moved on a free transfer to Macclesfield Town, where he finished his senior playing career.
Potter’s Personal Life
Potter and his wife Rachel have been together for a very long time. Together, they are parents to twins Sam and Theo, and Charlie, the oldest son.
Graham has always maintained that his wife Rachel is one who controls the family and he has been merely a diaper changer in raising the children.
How Will Potter Fit Into Chelsea?
For his “progressive” and “unconventional” coaching techniques, Potter has received praise. He urged his players and staff at stersund to participate in community activities like acting in theatre and music shows that would push them outside of their comfort zones.
Potter defines his sides as “tactically adaptable, offensive, [and] possession-based”. He used an adaptable 3-5-2 configuration at stersund that was focused on ball possession.
Henrik Larsson, a former player for Celtic and Barcelona, commented on Potter’s style of play, saying that he “played all different kinds of systems, beginning off a match one way, then they started playing a new system halfway through, and then they ended up with a third system.” And each player was fully aware of their roles.
