New Chelsea manager Graham Potter will not face the sack if his side fail to qualify for next season’s Champions League, according to a report.
On Thursday afternoon, the Blues confirmed that the 47-year-old had been appointed as Thomas Tuchel’s successor following the German’s sacking on the previous day.
Despite links with the likes of Ruben Amorim, Zinedine Zidane and Mauricio Pochettino, Chelsea moved quickly to poach Potter from Brighton & Hove Albion.
The former Swansea City and Ostersunds manager has been handed a five-year contract by the powers-that-be, but he has inherited a sticky situation at Chelsea.
Tuchel was relieved of his duties less than 24 hours after the Blues lost their Champions League opener 1-0 to Dinamo Zagreb, and Chelsea have endured a difficult start to life in the Premier League as well.
A tally of 10 points from six fixtures has left Chelsea sixth in the table – three points adrift of fourth-placed Brighton and five below current league leaders Arsenal.
According to The Mirror, Potter has been tasked with trying to achieve a top-four finish with Chelsea, but the board will not sack him immediately if he fails to do so.
The report adds that a place in the Champions League is still seen as a crucial part of Chelsea’s success this season, but finishing outside the top four is not a “deal-breaker” for Potter.
Owner Todd Boehly and co-owner Behdad Eghbali are said to have given Potter assurances that he will be given ample time to build a squad in his own vision, with the Blues chiefs convinced that the Englishman is the perfect long-term appointment.
Potter – who won 43, drew 43 and lost 48 of his 134 games in charge of Brighton – will enjoy a quick reunion with Marc Cucurella at Stamford Bridge and is itching to get started with the Blues squad
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