Chelsea plan to speak to Brighton about Graham Potter as Boehly draws up three man manager shortlist to replace Tuchel

CHELSEA are planning to speak to Brighton today about the availability of manager Graham Potter after the shock sacking of Thomas Tuchel.

Blues owner Todd Boehly ruthlessly sacked Tuchel, 49, following Chelsea’s 1-0 defeat at Dinamo Zagreb in their Champions League opener.

The decision follows an indifferent start to the season which has seen losses at Leeds United and Southampton before the European disappointment on Tuesday.

However, the new Chelsea owners celebrating 100 days in control, may well have dismissed the German regardless of the result in Croatia as part of their long-term vision.

It also comes after a stunning summer in which Boehly smashed the record for spending by one club in a single window to back Tuchel to the tune of £259.1million, only to sack him six days after deadline day.

Brighton boss Potter is thought to have a strong chance of landing the job following their flying start to the season.

The south-coast side, who beat Manchester United at Old Trafford on the opening day of the season, have won four of six games so far and sit fourth, three points ahead of Chelsea.

Blues chiefs are hoping to open talks with the Seagulls over hiring the English manager.

Potter, 47, spent seven years as manager of Ostersund in Sweden before a season at Swansea.

He took over from Chris Hughton at the Amex in 2019 and has steadily improved the side throughout his time at the club.

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However, former Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane is also on Boehly’s shortlist as well as Benfica boss Roger Schmidt.

Former Tottenham and Paris Saint-Germain manager Mauricio Pochettino is also available after leaving Paris earlier this year.

It is understood the Argentine would also be open to talking with Chelsea about taking over in the dugout at Stamford Bridge.