Chelsea sack Graham Potter with Bruno Saltor to take charge as interim head coach, the Premier League club announces

Chelsea have sacked Graham Potter seven months after bringing him to Stamford Bridge.

New owner Todd Boehly ushered in his era at the club by letting Thomas Tuchel go at the start of the season and replacing him with Potter.

Potter left his job at Brighton to take the reins in West London, and inherited an expensively assembled squad.

Thing started well with The Blues winning five on the spin to start his tenure, but they ran into a sticky patch as winter set in.

Boehly spent big during the January transfer window, but it did not result in an upturn in performances.

Since the turn of the year, Chelsea won four, drew five and lost seven matches in all competitions under Potter.

And Saturday’s home loss to Aston Villa proved the final straw for Chelsea who confirmed Potter’s departure the following day.

“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 quarter-final 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.

Co-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.”

Saltor’s first game in charge will be at home to Liverpool in the Premier League on Tuesday.