Chelsea players ‘have been left STUNNED by Graham Potter’s sacking’

Chelsea players have reportedly been shocked by the club’s decision to part ways with manager Graham Potter.

The club announced on Sunday night that it had terminated Potter’s contract following his latest loss to the former Brighton boss, his 11th overall with him.

With the statement posted on social media, it surprised many observers, most of whom expected the club to stick with Potter at least until the end of the season.

According The Telegraph, the players were caught just as unprepared as everyone else, claiming they found out through the statement before calling their respective agents in shock. However, it was claimed that by 3 pm the wheels were in motion to remove it.

Boos greeted Chelsea players and staff as they made their way through the tunnel on a warm early spring afternoon in west London on Saturday, with most apparently making their way to Potter.

The former Brighton boss oversaw the club’s slide down the table since taking over last year.

It has been reported that Chelsea players were stunned by the news that he had been sacked.

Sports directors Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley have been reported to have been the driving forces behind the decision to part ways with Potter, with co-owners Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital supporting the decision.

Chelsea will reportedly not have to pay the full £50m remaining on Potter’s five-year contract.

It means Potter became the second manager to be sacked by the club this season, with Thomas Tuchel sacked earlier in the autumn after a poor start to the season.

Chelsea have spent over £600m revamping their squad under the new owners, with Mykhailo Mudryk, Enzo Fernandez, Raheem Sterling and Wesley Fofana signed for big money on long-term deals.

It was believed that because of this they were willing to give Potter time and space to develop and refine his squad with a view to an assault on the upper levels of the league next season.

That was not to be, however, and what had always felt like an awkward marriage came to an end on Sunday.

No immediate successor has reportedly been lined up, although names like Julian Nagelsmann, who recently met the same fate as Potter at Bayern Munich, and Mauricio Pochettino are on the market.

The two sporting directors are said to now lead a thorough process to identify the club’s new manager.

The club announced in a statement that Potter’s assistant Bruno Saltor, whom he brought with him from Brighton initially, will remain as interim first-team manager until the end of the season.

A Chelsea statement read: ‘Chelsea FC have announced that Graham Potter has left the club. Graham has agreed to work with the Club to facilitate a smooth transition.

“During his time at the club, Graham has led us to the quarterfinals of the Champions League, where we will face Real Madrid. Chelsea would like to thank Graham for all of his efforts and contributions and wish him the best for the future. Bruno Saltor will take over the team as interim head coach.’

Co-owners Boehly and Eghbali added: “On behalf of everyone at the club, we would like to sincerely thank Graham for his contribution to Chelsea.

‘We have the highest degree of respect for Graham as a coach and as a person. He has always carried himself with professionalism and integrity and we are all disappointed with this result.

“Together with our amazing fans, we will all be rooting for Bruno and the team as we focus on the rest of the season.

We have 10 Premier League games left and a few Champions League quarterfinals ahead. We will put all our effort and commitment into each of those matches so that we can end the season on a high.’