Baku, April 3, AZERTAC

Chelsea have sacked Graham Potter as manager, the Premier League club has announced, according to talkSPORT.

A 2-0 defeat at home to Aston Villa, a result which leaves them in 11th place in the table, at Stamford Bridge on Saturday proved to be Potter’s final match in charge.

Bruno Saltor will take charge of the team as interim head coach with Chelsea’s next outing seeing them entertain Liverpool on Tuesday night.

However, the club’s announcement suggested Potter could play a role in deciding who his permanent successor will be.

A club statement read: “Chelsea FC has announced that Graham Potter has departed the club.

“Graham has agreed to collaborate with the club to facilitate a smooth transition.

“In his time with the club, Graham has taken us to the quarter-final of the Champions League, where we will face Real Madrid.

“Chelsea would like to thank Graham for all his efforts and contribution and wish him well for the future.”

Meanwhile, co-controlling owners Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali said: “On behalf of everyone at the club, we want to thank Graham sincerely for his contribution to Chelsea.

“We have the highest degree of respect for Graham as a coach and as a person. He has always conducted himself with professionalism and integrity and we are all disappointed in this outcome.

“Along with our incredible fans, we will all be getting behind Bruno and the team as we focus on the rest of the season.

“We have ten Premier League games remaining and a Champions League quarter-final ahead. We will put every effort and commitment into every one of those games so that we can end the season on a high.”

Potter left Brighton to take the Chelsea job in September, succeeding Thomas Tuchel.

The 47-year-old Englishman made a great start to life at Stamford Bridge, winning five of his first six and going unbeaten in his opening nine matches in charge.

But bad results began to set in as Chelsea regressed down the Premier League table while also suffering disappointing exits to Manchester City in both the FA Cup and Carabao Cup.

Arguably Potter’s finest hour as Blues boss saw his side beat Borussia Dortmund 2-0 in the Champions League, overturning the 1-0 defeat in the first leg.

Chelsea travel to holders Real Madrid in the first leg of their quarter-final tie on April 12 but Potter will not be in the hotseat.