Chelsea dismissed manager Graham Potter after a 2-0 home loss to Aston Villa on Saturday. Potter had been in charge for less than seven months.

It was the 11th defeat in 31 tournaments since taking over for Thomas Tuchel at Stamford Bridge on September 8.

Even after spending over £550 million on new players this season, Chelsea has slipped to 11th in the Premier League, 12 spots behind the top four.

The club's owners expressed "disappointment" at Potter's dismissal.


Potter's dismissal was met with "dissatisfaction" by the club's stockholders.

Potter "has consented to work collaboratively with the club to ensure an easy transition," according to Chelsea. Bruno Saltor, who teamed up with Potter at Brighton, will be the interim head coach.

"We are all dissatisfied with the outcome because he has always conducted himself in a professional and honourable manner."

Chelsea hosts Liverpool in the Premier League on Tuesday, and Real Madrid hosts Chelsea in the first round of their Champions League quarter-final on April 12.

The Premier League has seen 13 managerial changes this season, three more than in any previous season, with Leicester also sacking Brendan Rodgers earlier on Sunday.


"We have 10 Premier League games left and a Champions League quarter-final to play." We will put everything into each game to finish the season on a high note."

He won 12 of his 31 matches as head coach in all competitions and averaged 1.27 points per game in the Premier League, which was the joint-lowest of any manager in charge of 20 or even more tournaments for Chelsea in the Premier League, along with Glen Hoddle.

Bruno, a 42-year-old former Spanish right-back, played for Brighton for seven years before retiring in 2019 and shifting into coaching.

Potter was Boehly's first managerial hire after taking over the club in May 2022, and the Englishman impressed during his three years at Brighton.

Emma Hayes told Sky Sports after her Chelsea team's Women's Super League victory over Aston Villa on Sunday: "Obviously, I'm disappointed for Graham and the club. I know everyone wanted it to work.


"If the owners feel compelled to take a different path, I fully support their decision and wish Graham the best.

"With 10 Premier League games remaining, I'm confident the boys will do everything possible to get us back on track. I'm a manager, and I'm always saddened when one of my colleagues loses his or her job."

Potter took over for Tuchel, who had won three league titles in 2 years at Stamford Bridge, in Sep, when the Blues were sixth in the Premier League and had spent £255 million on transfers during the summer.

Owner Boehly went on another lavish spending spree in January, spending £288 million.

Argentina's Enzo Fernandez and Ukraine's Mykhailo Mudryk are among the eight mid-season signings, but the new members have needed help getting their feet on the pitch.