How Chelsea plan to find Graham Potter replacement

Chelsea are ready to undertake an exhaustive search for their new manager following Sunday’s dismissal of Graham Potter, 90min understands.

Potter had been hand-picked as the preferred boss for new owners Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital, but his reign was cut short after a disastrous six months which left the Blues down in 11th in the Premier League with just ten games to go.

Sources have confirmed to 90min that Chelsea did not have a preferred candidate in mind when the decision to dismiss Potter was made, with those in charge at Stamford Bridge now prepared to lead a search which one source described as ‘exhaustive, thorough and professional’.

Those close to the process insist there is not currently a favourite for the role, with plans being put in place to assess as many candidates as possible, although 90min understands that former Bayern Munich manager Julian Nagelsmann is currently at the front of the queue.

Nagelsmann, who was dismissed from his own post recently in favour of former Blues boss Thomas Tuchel, worked with Chelsea directors Christopher Vivell and Laurence Stewart during his time at RB Leipzig, where he emerged as one of the top young managers around.

Stewart and Vivell will play significant roles in the search for a new manager, alongside fellow director Paul Winstanley, but the final decision will lie with Boehly and co-owner Behdad Eghbali.

Indeed, the process to formally replace Potter is well underway, with the likes of Nagelsmann, Luis Enrique and Mauricio Pochettino all attracting early interest.

Sporting CP manager Ruben Amorim, who was considered for the role before Potter joined last year, remains on Chelsea’s radar as well, as does Eintracht Frankfurt’s Oliver Glasner.

Chelsea officials are keen to speak with a number of possible candidates and do not want to rush their decision, despite rivals Tottenham also searching for a new manager and expressing interest in a number of the same targets.

In the meantime, Chelsea’s first team will be left to Bruno Saltor. The former Brighton right-back, who followed Potter to Stamford Bridge, will begin his temporary tenure with a visit from Liverpool on Tuesday.