By Betsefy
Chelsea owner Todd Boehly reportedly had contact with Ruben Amorim and Mauricio Pochettino before hiring Graham Potter as Thomas Tuchel‘s successor.
After Tuchel’s 100th game in charge of the Blues ended in a 1-0 defeat to Dinamo Zagreb in the Champions League, the German was relieved of his duties at Stamford Bridge.
Tuchel was given the boot despite winning the Champions League, UEFA Super Cup and Club World Cup since 2021, with Boehly feeling that a new direction was needed.
Chelsea moved quickly to appoint former Brighton & Hove Albion boss Potter as their new head coach on a five-year deal, but the 47-year-old was not the only candidate on the shortlist.
Zinedine Zidane and Pochettino – both of whom are currently out of work – were linked with the role, as was current Sporting Lisbon head coach Amorim.
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According to reports in Portugal – via The Mirror – Boehly touched base with both Amorim and Pochettino to gauge their interest in a move to Stamford Bridge before hiring Potter.
The 37-year-old Amorim has already been mooted as a future successor to Potter, but he recently shot down any hopes of a potential switch to the English capital, telling O Jogo: “The project I am in is the project I want.
“I have another year and a half of contract; Chelsea have presented a coach for the next five years. I am happy here and I am not thinking about another project.”
Meanwhile, Pochettino lost his job as Paris Saint-Germain manager last year – despite winning the Ligue 1 title – and he is believed to have been sounded out for the Manchester United job.
However, the Argentine is said to be waiting for the ideal opportunity to return to football, as is the case with Zidane, who continues to be heavily linked with the France role.
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Upon confirmation of his appointment at Chelsea, Potter told the club’s official website: “I am incredibly proud and excited to represent Chelsea FC, this fantastic football club.
“I am very excited to partner with Chelsea’s new ownership group and look forward to meeting and working with the exciting group of players and to develop a team and culture that our amazing fans can be proud of.
“I would also like to place my sincere thanks to Brighton & Hove Albion for allowing me this opportunity and in particular Tony Bloom and all the players, staff and supporters for their continued support during my time at the club.”
Potter’s first game in charge of Chelsea is set to take place next Wednesday, with Red Bull Salzburg paying a visit to Stamford Bridge in Group E of the Champions League.
Even if the Englishman fails to achieve a top-four finish in this season’s Premier League, Chelsea have supposedly reassured him that his job will be safe.
