UPDATED: Potter sets to replace Tuchel as Chelsea manager

Brighton manager Graham Potter is well positioned to replace Thomas Tuchel, who was shown the exit door at Chelsea early on Wednesday, few hours after losing the club’s first UEFA Champions League fixture to unfancied Dinamo Zagreb.

Potter has been given permission by the Seagulls to talk with Chelsea.

Tuchel, the German, was coach of French champions Paris Saint-Germain where he won the top flight title twice, was signed by Chelsea on 26 January 2021.

He won the 2020/21 UEFA Champions League, UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup for the London club. He managed 100 matches in all competitions for the Blues, winning 60 and sharing honours in 24, losing the remaining 16.

Tuchel was dismissed after losing the confidence of Chelsea’s players and the new ownership, who took over at the club in May.

Potter, 47, was in charge for Swansea and Ostersunds FK before joining Brighton in the 2019/20 season.

In the English Premier League this season, Potter has led Brighton to four victories, a draw and a loss to Fulham 1-2.

Potter became the first ever Brighton manager to win at Old Trafford, after the Seagulls beat Manchester United 2–1 on the opening game of this season.

Tipped as a future England manager, Potter has led Brighton to 15th, 16th and 9th place finishes in his three seasons in charge of the EPL side.

But his brand of attacking and tactically flexible football has brought him many admirers in the game.