Graham Potter sack latest: Chelsea identify new manager target who’d add insult to injury for struggling manager
Despite their continued faith in Graham Potter, Chelsea are reportedly considering other managers as a backup plan in case they decide to part ways with him.
Potter was appointed as Chelsea’s manager in September, replacing Thomas Tuchel, but his performance at the club has been below expectations.
The team has only won one of their last 11 matches under Potter, with six consecutive winless games and five matches without scoring a single goal.
Chelsea even lost to the Premier League’s lowest-ranked team, Southampton, and suffered a defeat in the first leg of their Champions League match against Borussia Dortmund.
Chelsea’s current situation looks bleak as they have already been eliminated from the FA Cup and are currently ranked 10th in the Premier League, trailing behind the top-four spot by 14 points. This has led to doubts about Graham Potter’s suitability as their manager. Although some sources suggest that Chelsea still have a long-term plan with Potter, others believe that his time at the club may be coming to an end.
The outcome of Chelsea’s next two matches will be crucial in determining Potter’s immediate future. The team will face Leeds United, another struggling side, in their upcoming match and will then play the second leg of their Champions League game against Borussia Dortmund.
Should Graham Potter fail to turn things around, he may face further scrutiny as Chelsea’s manager. In the event that he is sacked, there are several potential candidates who could replace him. Some rumors suggest that Jose Mourinho could make a return for a third spell as Chelsea’s manager starting next season. Other candidates include Mauricio Pochettino, Zinedine Zidane, or Thomas Frank.
However, according to Football Insider, Roberto De Zerbi is the latest candidate to emerge as a potential replacement for Potter.
Interestingly, De Zerbi took over at Brighton in September when Potter departed for Chelsea. This move seemed to highlight the pressure Potter was under, as De Zerbi has managed to maintain the team’s form and they are currently ranked higher than Chelsea in the league table.
De Zerbi’s impressive performance in his first Premier League job has earned him recognition from larger clubs. He has caught the attention of some clubs in his home country of Italy and there is a possibility that he could take over from his fellow Italian, Antonio Conte, at Tottenham Hotspur.
According to Football Insider, Chelsea is also considering De Zerbi as an option. The club is impressed with him and the 43-year-old would be willing to take on this next challenge.
De Zerbi’s successful adaptation to the Premier League, his attractive style of football, and his ability to develop young players are all appealing aspects of his managerial skills.
Brighton currently has De Zerbi under contract until 2026, meaning they would be entitled to compensation if any club were to try and lure him away, including Chelsea.
For Potter, having his replacement at Brighton taken by De Zerbi for the second time in just a few months would be a painful blow. However, the football industry can be ruthless at times.
De Zerbi’s career has been on a steady upward trajectory, having previously managed Sassuolo and Shakhtar Donetsk. He appears to have the potential to lead a top-level club.
While De Zerbi has been making progress in his career, it’s worth noting that Potter was also making similar progress but has not quite lived up to expectations. Thus, any managerial appointment comes with a certain degree of risk.
At the moment, Chelsea’s current manager needs to concentrate on improving the team’s results. However, with De Zerbi’s potential and impressive track record, he may soon become a viable replacement option for the Chelsea boss.
Graham Potter sack latest: Chelsea identify new manager target who’d add insult to injury for struggling manager
