Thomas Tuchel sacked: Pochettino and Graham early favourites to become new Chelsea boss

Brighton have given Chelsea permission to discuss their newly vacant managerial position with Graham Potter.

Thomas Tuchel was sacked this morning just hours after his side’s defeat against Dinamo Zagreb.

Potter and Mauricio Pochettino have emerged as the top two early contenders for the position.

Former PSG and Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino is another favourite for the job

The Blues have now made their move for their No 1 choice Potter – rated as one of the best emerging managers in England – who is now set to meet new owner Todd Boehly for talks over the role.

Extracting him from the Amex Stadium could prove expensive, with sources indicating that Brighton would be owed at least £10million from Chelsea, but that clause is not seen as an issue.

Potter is settled at Brighton, who have started the season excellently.

However, sources have indicated to Sportsmail that Potter would give serious consideration to leaving the Seagulls for a club competing in the Champions League.

Chelsea owner Todd Boehly (right) sensationally sacked Thomas Tuchel on Wednesday

Pochettino meanwhile is a free agent after leaving Paris Saint-Germain earlier this summer and would be prove an easier appointment given he is out of work.

However, the Argentine’s connections to Tottenham would be a consideration for all parties – nevertheless it is understood that early moves to discuss the role with Pochettino have taken place.

Chelsea, though, will speak to Pochettino as a matter of urgency.

Zinedine Zidane would also be of interest to Chelsea bosses – but he wants to take over from Didier Deschamps as France manager after the World Cup.

Tuchel on Wednesday was brutally sacked just seven games into the new campaign and 100 days into Todd Boehly’s reign. Chelsea are paying £15million to get rid of Tuchel – with £13m going to him and £2m to his backroom staff.

Tuchel cut a disconsolate figure as Chelsea were beaten 1-0 by Dinamo Zagreb on Tuesday

Chelsea are sixth in the Premier League and have made a miserable start to their Champions League campaign, with Tuchel disposed of hours after their humbling 1-0 loss to Dinamo Zagreb, his 100th match in charge.

The club said they would move ‘swiftly’ to appoint a new manager and Tuchel’s coaching staff will continue to take charge of the team in the interim.

‘On behalf of everyone at Chelsea FC, the club would like to place on record its gratitude to Thomas and his staff for all their efforts during their time with the club,’ Chelsea said in their statement on Tuchel’s sacking.

‘Thomas will rightly have a place in Chelsea’s history after winning the Champions League, the Super Cup and Club World Cup in his time here.

‘As the new ownership group reaches 100 days since taking over the club, and as it continues its hard work to take the club forward, the new owners believe it is the right time to make this transition.’

Zinedine Zidane is one of the other names on the potential shortlist for the Chelsea job

The sacking of Tuchel has caught some by surprise given he publicly claimed that negotiations were ongoing for a contract extension just last month.

‘There are talks,’ he said. 

‘But I think given the situation where we come from, and where we are in the middle of the transfer period, I think it is the very best if I focus on my team and on sports and on being competitive.

‘My people talk to the owners and take care of everything else. You know how glad I am to be here and how much I like it. So it’s a good thing.’

The new manager at Stamford Bridge will inherit a squad that has been bolstered to the tune of more than £260million in the summer, a record spend in one window for a Premier League club at more than £260million.