Another sacking

ENGLISH Premier League club Chelsea FC fired their manager Graham Potter on Sunday, April 2. His departure was announced in a statement released on Twitter by the London club. Potter had only been in charge at Stamford Bridge for six months after replacing Thomas Tuchel.

Potter becomes the second casualty of the day following the sacking of Brendan Rodgers by Leicester City only a few hours ago. When he joined the Stamford Bridge outfit from Brighton there was an air of great expectation surrounding him but his side has struggled this season.

Their 2­0 home defeat by Unai Emery’s resurgent Aston Villa side was probably the straw that broke the proverbial camel’s back. The Blues spent a fortune on new players during the January transfer window but the club is currently languishing in the wrong half of the table with only 10 games remaining this season.

It 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 quarter­final 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. Bruno Saltor will take charge of the team as Interim Head Coach.”

Co­controlling 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.”