An Englishman completed his move to Stamford Bridge on Thursday after meeting the Chelsea owners on Wednesday night in London.
Potter’s transfer to Chelsea creates a desirable opening on the South Coast.
Thomas Tuchel, who was fired by the team’s new owners on Wednesday, has been replaced as head coach of Chelsea by Graham Potter, who has agreed to a five-year contract.
On Wednesday afternoon in London, Potter met with Chelsea’s co-controlling owners Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali. On Thursday morning, Potter was spotted arriving at Brighton’s practice facility to finish up business. Later in the day, he made a trip to London to formally complete his relocation.
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Prior to this weekend’s match against Bournemouth, the 47-year-old had already been asked to leave Brighton’s pre-game news conference.
Potter is one of the most dynamic coaches in the game, having begun his career in Sweden before transferring his skills to the English game over the previous four seasons, according to a statement from Chelsea. The 47-year-old has a degree in a field other than sports and has used his expertise to create an approach that is collaborative and forward-thinking while generating exciting and successful football.
“He demonstrated this while playing for Brighton & Hove Albion, where he led the team to its best-ever league finish last year. Along the way, he won accolades for his successful style of play on the south coast and demonstrated versatility in tactics and formations to stay one step ahead of rivals.”
Potter remarked: “It gives me great joy and pride to represent Chelsea FC, this amazing football team. I am very eager to work with Chelsea’s new ownership group and am looking forward to getting to know the talented group of players. Together, we will create a group and culture that our incredible fans will be proud of.”
The deal completes a quick process for Boehly and his Clearlake partners and enables Potter, who Telegraph Sport first identified as the favorite to succeed Tuchel, to take charge of Chelsea’s Premier League trip to Fulham on Saturday lunchtime.
Potter’s release clause is reportedly set at £15 million, and Tuchel is eligible to receive almost £7 million in compensation. The entire operation will cost Chelsea more than £20 million, and it will take place less than a week after the transfer window, in which the owners spent nearly £300 million, closed.
The owners of Chelsea wanted to hire someone for a long time who they think can instill a new culture within the team and is willing to hear their views and lay out his own philosophies.
Following the successful takeover of the club at the end of the previous season, Chelsea’s co-owners decided that Potter was the best choice to lead the club into its new era after concluding that Tuchel was not the long-term head coach they were looking for.
Despite not having managed in the Champions League, Potter led Ostersunds to the final 32 of the Europa League in 2018 on a budget of less than £1 million after they defeated Arsenal at the Emirates in an eye-catching 2-1 triumph.
The chairman of Chelsea, Todd Boehly, stated: “We are thrilled to bring Graham to Chelsea. He is a proven coach and an innovator in the Premier League who fits our vision for the club. In addition to being incredibly talented on the field, he has skills and capabilities that extend beyond the field which will make Chelsea a more successful club.
He made a significant effect at his previous clubs, and we anticipate the same at Chelsea. In the upcoming months and years, we look forward to helping him, his coaching staff, and the club reach their full potential.
The co-controlling owners, José E. Feliciano and Behdad Eghbali, added: “Graham is a football pioneer, a victor, and a leader both on and off the field. He has greatly impressed us with his football-related thoughts and methods. In order to create a successful squad that exemplifies the culture of cooperation, creativity, teamwork, player development, and a commitment to excellence on and off the field, we are happy to collaborate with Graham. We are lucky that Graham and his group will be traveling with us.”