Brighton's Potter leads race to replace Tuchel at Chelsea - Zidane, Pochettino also in contention

Chelsea have shocked the footballing world by sacking Thomas Tuchel after only seven matches since the 2022/23 campaign kickstarted in early August.

The Blues are under new ownership - Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali - and the pair have made their intentions known to the public.

"As the new ownership group reaches 100 days since taking over the club, and as it continues its hard work to take the club forward, the new owners believe it is the right time to make this transition," the club's statement revealed on Wednesday.

The rumoured frontrunners to replace former Borussia Dortmund boss Tuchel at Chelsea are Brighton and Hove Albion manager Graham Potter, former Real Madrid mentor Zinedine Zidane and ex-Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino.

Graham Potter

The leading candidate, according to multiple reports, is Brighton boss Graham Potter.

With Brighton's good start to the season - they are currenting fourth on the Premier League table - it comes as no surprise that Chelsea are interested in the 47-year-old.

Potter has always been seen as someone who would be able to be a 'Big-Six' manager and the opportunity may come sooner rather than later.  

Potter has gained a reputation for helping Brighton become a mainstay in the Premier League and has been praised for playing attractive football, which would be a stark contrast to the more pragmatic and staler approach the Stamford Bridge faithful have been used to seeing.  

After managing the Seagulls for three seasons, stepping up from a midtable club would be a huge if not challenging step up for him as the demands for success are much higher.

However, with the fantastic job he has done in Brighton, you would not put it past him to succeed.

Mauricio Pochettino

Former Tottenham