The Next Manager?

[Cosmin 2,484]

9 minutes ago, YorkshireBlue said:

We (the club) spent 250 million pounds on new signings for a manager we then sacked 6 (or so) games in.....

Then we backed that manager to the tune of 350 odd million pounds in January....

Except for Koulibaly and Aubameyang, I don't think any of our signings was made at the request of those managers.

Edited April 6, 2023 by Cosmin

[Vesper 28,772]

How Graham Potter lost the Chelsea dressing room and who’s in contention to replace him

https://caughtoffside.substack.com/i/112644334/how-graham-potter-lost-the-Chelsea-dressing-room-and-whos-in-contention-to-replace-him

Graham Potter was sacked by Chelsea on a dramatic Sunday. Chelsea’s new owners did something that didn’t even happen under Roman Abramovich: axed two managers in the same season.

The simple answer to why Potter was sacked is because he showed a lack of progress... but you could write a book on all the finer points as to exactly why this didn’t occur.

Chelsea fell into the bottom half of the table at the weekend after the 2-0 loss to Aston Villa, and Potter leaves with only seven league wins from 22 Premier League games. He lost eight and presided over just 21 goals.

Chelsea’s board consistently backed Potter, far longer than Abramovich would have done so for. They gave him as much time as they could. But things changed rapidly into Sunday afternoon with co-sporting directors Paul Winstanley and Lawrence Stewart key to this story. Both are newer to the club and drove the decision to make a change, which in the end was referred to as “unanimous” by sources, and first came under serious consideration after February’s 2-0 loss to Spurs.

Sacking Potter is the decision that the majority of the Chelsea fan base wanted, and have been asking for since January (and some even before the World Cup). The personal attacks on him, including horrific emailed death threats, a petition calling for his sacking with over 50,000 signatures on it, and the resounding boos after Aston Villa, all illustrate this to different degrees.

The Villa loss was basically a microcosm of all the issues on the football side: Chelsea failed to score, lacked confidence, identity and leadership; and Potter’s selection and in-game tactics both came under question.

The decision to play Marc Cucurella and Reece James in a back three totally backfired, as did starting Mykhaylo Mudryk and not bringing on Mason Mount. Since joining in September, Potter struggled to manage such a big squad, and in some ways it was an impossible task with all the new signings and injuries, but he also just didn’t appear to know his best XI.

There will always be an element of player unrest within such a big squad, who couldn’t always fit into dressing room and team-meeting spaces at Cobham. That doesn’t mean Potter lost the dressing room entirely, but there were certainly some voices in it that made jokes and jibes (including calling him Harry Potter) behind his back.

Potter wasn't seen as authoritative or consistent enough in how he managed the team despite being respected as a tactician. Mudryk’s start against Villa is one example. Potter said, and reiterated behind the scenes, the Ukrainian was effectively still in his “pre-season”. Yet then he got a start against Villa in a must-win game. And when a below-par Mudryk missed two big chances against Villa, it led to question marks.

Hakim Ziyech starting against Fulham in early February was another move that wasn’t well received by some other players. Ziyech was just minutes away from joining PSG on loan on deadline day and only didn’t go due to an administrative error. Chelsea had spent the build up to the game planning without him. Yet Ziyech returned, immediately started without making an impact, and made the Champions League squad. Perhaps if form was better, or Chelsea won the game, this may have been viewed as a masterstroke. But ultimately it was seen by many at the club as further evidence Potter was trying too hard to please instead of manage.

There were plenty of other little moments that contributed to Potter's downfall: the exclusion of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from the Champions League squad, and many match days, too, despite Chelsea lacking goals, was questioned by some, although it's understood Potter had firm ownership backing on this particular decision.

It’s of course easy in hindsight to pin it all on Potter or football problems. Sources are clear, though, the power dynamic at Chelsea is complex and evolving. Behdad Eghbali, who holds not only huge power, but is heavily involved in everything, and Todd Boehly, are still learning on the job. That’s why their next appointment won’t be taken lightly.

Chelsea will now focus on what is being termed an “exhaustive search” for a new manager, led by Winstanley and Stewart. Boehly and Eghbali will be involved but not in a leading sense, especially not in the early stages. This is significant.

There is no permanent manager lined up just yet and club sources insist that Chelsea will speak to 5-7 candidates with former Bayern boss Julian Nagelsmann and ex-Barcelona and Spain boss Luis Enrique early frontrunners and already approached.

Stewart and Christopher Vivell appreciate Nagelsmann and worked with him at Leipzig. But he is still contracted to Bayern until 2026 despite being fired, so an appointment would require negotiation.

Chelsea are adamant that Nagelsmann’s sudden availability didn’t prompt Potter’s sacking and that there’s no guarantee anyone will be in place for the quarter-final first leg with Real Madrid in the Champions League, although Enrique is believed to be willing to start immediately. 

 

 

Nagelsmann’s default position is to start a new job next season, but a free hit at the business end of the Champions League might yet change his mind, too.

The most important thing to stress is for Chelsea this is about getting the third appointment under this new ownership right, not just finding someone in time for Real. That’s why they will talk to other names.

Mauricio Pochettino is expected be one of them. Prior to appointing Potter, Chelsea held exploratory talks with the former Spurs boss. I am told he wasn’t entirely convinced by the project. Let’s see if that has changed now a full recruitment team is in place and the ambition of spending is apparent despite the chaos and Chelsea’s league position. Pochettino isn’t short of options. Jobs at Spurs and Real for next season are on his radar as well.

Keep an eye on Sporting boss Ruben Amorim who, as I've said many times even before Potter was appointed, is a name Chelsea respect.

Luciano Spalletti could also be considered. I was covering Napoli vs. Milan at the weekend and Spalletti wouldn’t be drawn on links. He is entirely focused on winning Serie A and going as far as he can in the Champions League. There’s no way he’s giving a Napoli exit a second thought right now. So if he did become a more serious candidate it would only be for the end of the season. There are more likely options right now.

One name we can rule out is Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi. He is catching the eye of top clubs, but is not on Chelsea’s shortlist.

As for Potter, I really hope he bounces back. Chelsea fans at large will be glad to see the back of him, but I still think he’ll be in demand by Premier League clubs: Leicester made a near-instant approach, but Potter wants to take his time before deciding what’s next. He won’t be short of job offers come the end of the season.

[Vegetable 830]

Usual suspects already debating about how wise and reasonable Lampard's appointment is. Tl:dr - He's english 😂

[YorkshireBlue 3,122]

58 minutes ago, Vegetable said:

Usual suspects already debating about how wise and reasonable Lampard's appointment is. Tl:dr - He's english 😂

Only time it would be wise if we wasn't in the champions League, I'd honestly rather keep potter till the end of the season given these options lampard or potter, atleast potter was winning in the CL just dog shit in the league.

[Cosmin 2,484]

 

No way this is real. I mean, Mourinho I can understand. But Nuno? 

[Vegetable 830]

1 hour ago, YorkshireBlue said:

Only time it would be wise if we wasn't in the champions League, I'd honestly rather keep potter till the end of the season given these options lampard or potter, atleast potter was winning in the CL just dog shit in the league.

I don't really buy the concept of another interim manager, unless of course, Bruno said one game is enough and people being interviewed are refusing to take over before season's end. If it's about TB and BE having ideas again, it's utterly frustrating.

But still I'm amazed how three or so folks are pushing their very shallow and somewhat dumb agenda and momentarily it's being reprinted all around the world as facts or "expert analysis".

[Cosmin 2,484]

2 minutes ago, Vegetable said:

unless of course, Bruno said one game is enough and people being interviewed are refusing to take over before season's end

This is very plausible, though. There are reports saying that Bruno didn't want to be here, in the spotlight.

Also, I think Enrique would like the job now, but the board is not 100% convinced, while Nagelsmann still needs time to decide. 

So the solution that they came up with is finding someone ready to fill in, while conversations are being had. 

On the other hand, it wouldn't surprise me to find out that they are just taking the piss.

Edited April 6, 2023 by Cosmin

[YorkshireBlue 3,122]

8 minutes ago, Vegetable said:

I don't really buy the concept of another interim manager, unless of course, Bruno said one game is enough and people being interviewed are refusing to take over before season's end. If it's about TB and BE having ideas again, it's utterly frustrating.

But still I'm amazed how three or so folks are pushing their very shallow and somewhat dumb agenda and momentarily it's being reprinted all around the world as facts or "expert analysis".

A new manager for 9 games to play a certain way, changing it from what potter was doing, it wasn't working but still, to then get a new manager in the summer to switch how they play again, seems utterly mind boggling.

[Vegetable 830]

3 minutes ago, Cosmin said:

Also, I think Enrique would like the job now, but the board is not 100% convinced, while Nagelsmann still needs time to decide. 

So the solution that they came up with is finding someone ready to fill in, while conversations are being had. 

On the other hand, it wouldn't surprise me to find out that they are just taking the piss.

Today's news is Messi pushing for Enrique at PSG, so I hope they know what they are doing. We will be in position of way less power when the carousel starts after the season.

[xPetrCechx 13,563]

11 minutes ago, Cosmin said:

 

No way this is real. I mean, Mourinho I can understand. But Nuno? 

Jose 😍

[gdlk 272]

Jose is finished for modern football! 

[Costa19 858]

15 minutes ago, YorkshireBlue said:

A new manager for 9 games to play a certain way, changing it from what potter was doing, it wasn't working but still, to then get a new manager in the summer to switch how they play again, seems utterly mind boggling.

I dont think Lamps will try to change much. He is probably here only to manage the boys and handle the training sessions. 
 
Actually he will be here for about 70 days. I imagine the club wants to speak to Nagelsmann and Enrique multiple time, discuss about the project, hear out their vision, negotiate the contracts etc etc.  
Also maybe both the club and JN/Enrique needs some time preparing their stuff before coming in. 

Its really crucial we nail the next manager so i imagine the club will be very careful in the process. 

Edited April 6, 2023 by Costa19

[Reddish-Blue 2,345]

39 minutes ago, YorkshireBlue said:

A new manager for 9 games to play a certain way, changing it from what potter was doing, it wasn't working but still, to then get a new manager in the summer to switch how they play again, seems utterly mind boggling.

A change was needed, just a shame that the club persisted with Potter for so long. 

Getting Lampard in for the remaining games of the season is just to keep the fans happy and possibly to convince Mount to stay at Chelsea rather than run off to Liverpool. 

I doubt he needs to change any tactics, probably just give a bit of motivation to some of the players and show them how to finish in front of goal.  If Havertz could actually finish on a consistent basis, we wouldn't be in the bottom half of the table. 

[lucio 5,418]

12 minutes ago, Reddish-Blue said:

A change was needed, just a shame that the club persisted with Potter for so long. 

Getting Lampard in for the remaining games of the season is just to keep the fans happy and possibly to convince Mount to stay at Chelsea rather than run off to Liverpool. 

I doubt he needs to change any tactics, probably just give a bit of motivation to some of the players and show them how to finish in front of goal.  If Havertz could actually finish on a consistent basis, we wouldn't be in the bottom half of the table. 

It's made the fans angry though. 

[YorkshireBlue 3,122]

29 minutes ago, Reddish-Blue said:

A change was needed, just a shame that the club persisted with Potter for so long. 

Getting Lampard in for the remaining games of the season is just to keep the fans happy and possibly to convince Mount to stay at Chelsea rather than run off to Liverpool. 

I doubt he needs to change any tactics, probably just give a bit of motivation to some of the players and show them how to finish in front of goal.  If Havertz could actually finish on a consistent basis, we wouldn't be in the bottom half of the table. 

Fans happy 🤣 they have done the exact opposite. You think the atomesphere was toxic under potter? What do you think it will be like under lampard? Also wtf is lampard doing, this is how you rip your legacy up l.

[Gundalf 804]

16 minutes ago, YorkshireBlue said:

Fans happy 🤣 they have done the exact opposite. You think the atomesphere was toxic under potter? What do you think it will be like under lampard? Also wtf is lampard doing, this is how you rip your legacy up l.

Unless he wins the CL and leaves 😂

[YorkshireBlue 3,122]

6 minutes ago, Gundalf said:

Unless he wins the CL and leaves 😂

More chance of lilly savage raising from the dead and giving you a blow job mate 🤣

[Gundalf 804]

5 minutes ago, YorkshireBlue said:

More chance of lilly savage raising from the dead and giving you a blow job mate 🤣

Who knows, no one believed in Di Matteo either.

The thing is: at this stage, we just dont have sufficient information to really assess things. Does the club want to implement the new coach in the summer or now? Do the candidates want to be implemented in the summer or now? Does Bruno Saltor even want to continue as interim coach? We just dunno. But it seems not that simple as some would have wished after sacking Potter. This is why I wanted Potter to stay till the summer. 

Edited April 6, 2023 by Gundalf