Graham Potter, an audacious appointment as head coach by American tycoon Todd Boehly in September, is walking a tightrope at English Premier League (EPL) outfit Chelsea.
A clutch of illustrious names are regularly being touted as his successor, and the 47-year-old appears to be out of his depth at Stamford Bridge despite having penned a lucrative five-year deal.
Potter swiftly left ambitious Brighton & Hove Albion for his dream job. Yet his dreams have become nightmares courtesy of Chelsea’s dismal displays and atrocious results, both causing him failure to win over any fans.
Chelsea supporters have long been chanting at matches for the return of Thomas Tuchel, who won three trophies in his short stint. But Boehly showed him the door as the German’s working relationship with the board was dramatically nosediving.
Boehly led a consortium of investors to take over the West London club by splashing the cash with a US$5.25 billion deal in May, which remains the world’s most expensive team transaction.
With Tuchel gone and supporters clamouring for a top-class coach to replace Potter, there are a plethora of alternative managers ready to step up to the challenge. Especially as London rivals Arsenal are sitting pretty at the top of the EPL.
Originally Boehly stated that Potter is a long-term project, but reports claim that the head coach’s journey will soon come to a screeching halt unless their poor form is sorted out by the end of the month.
Pressure is rapidly building, not helped by the fact that numerous former players and pundits are in agreement with the huge fanbase about Chelsea’s inability under Potter.
He is responsible for their worst start in 30 years over 11 EPL games, and the Blues have spiralled out of both domestic cups with a whimper.
Billionaire Boehly, who is reportedly stepping down from his role as interim sporting director, may have to backtrack on his initial thoughts to end the agony of what has been a disastrous match for the Blues.
With so many big names ready to step into Potter’s shoes, some of the most likely successors include familiar faces. Betfair Australia has included former Chelsea bosses Jose Mourinho (a 16/1 shot) and current Tottenham Hotspur head coach Antonio Conte (25/1), who are much more likely to return to the dugout than the sentimental claims of bringing in ex-players John Terry (80/1) or Everton manager Frank Lampard (40/1) at the helm.
As the only betting exchange Down Under, the sportsbook offers something totally unique, according to this Betfair Australia review, and punters would also enjoy high odds compared to other bookies.
MAURICIO POCHETTINO (17/20)
The clear favourite appears to be waiting in the wings for the axe to fall on Potter. The 50-year-old was given the boot by French giants Paris Saint-Germain at the end of last term, and is always heavily linked with a return to Tottenham.
The Argentine’s five years at Spurs could be a barrier for Chelsea brokering a deal as it could make many fans feel uncomfortable.
BRENDAN RODGERS (9/1)
The former Chelsea Youth and Reserves head coach left in 2008, after five seasons, to become manager at Championship side Watford at the tender age of 35.
The Northern Irishman went on to establish Liverpool then lifted the 2021 FA Cup with Leicester City. Until this season he had made the Foxes contenders for the European stage, although they have twice missed out on Champions League football on the final day of the season.
DIEGO SIMEONE (10/1)
The 52-year-old Argentine is reportedly the world’s highest-paid head coach, annually earning a staggering US$44million at Atletico Madrid.
He has successfully been leading the Spanish club with aplomb since 2011 thanks to eye-catching displays and his fluidity in attack. The secret to his success has been his formations, utilising two wingers to revert to attacking midfielders when seeking goals, and employing two holding midfielders when defending.
ZINEDINE ZIDANE (12/1)
Although he wanted to take over as head coach of his native France, current boss Didier Deschamps (25/1) has a deal in place until 2026.
The French icon is often associated with vacancies at major clubs, having proved highly successful in Spain with Real Madrid until he left at the end of the 2020-21 season.
Chelsea fans have been vocal at games and via social media of their love and respect for former boss Tuchel (14/1), but would Boehly really be able to swallow his pride and admit that he made a mistake?
If Boehly wants to surprise the avid Chelsea supporters — and indeed bookmakers — then bringing in Portugal’s Ruben Amorim, the Sporting CP manager, could potentially reap rich rewards.
He was appointed head coach for a US$10.5m managerial transfer from fellow Portuguese top-flight side Braga. It was money well spent as Amorim immediately guided the club to a league and cup double. He collected the 2021 Primeria Liga Manager of the Year accolade, but last term had to settle for a second-placed finish.
The first time Chelsea appointed a young Portuguese manager, back in 2004, Mourinho made his mark on the global stage and transformed Chelsea’s fortunes.
- SEO Powered Content & PR Distribution. Get Amplified Today.
- Platoblockchain. Web3 Metaverse Intelligence. Knowledge Amplified. Access Here.
- Source: https://thegamehaus.com/soccer/head-coach-candidates-if-chelsea-axe-potter/2023/01/13/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=head-coach-candidates-if-chelsea-axe-potter
