Following Thomas Tuchel's shocking dismissal, Graham Potter was named the next manager of Chelsea on a five-year deal yesterday.
The Englishman, whose "advanced football and imaginative coaching" were praised by Chelsea, departed rival Premier League team Brighton to join Stamford Bridge.
The 47-year-work old's in Brighton, on the south coast of England, won him significant acclaim.
He demanded entertaining and tactically clever performances from his players and guided the Seagulls to a ninth-place finish last season before moving them up to fourth this year.
Tomorrow's match will be a derby against Fulham, Chelsea's next-door neighbours in west London.
“I am incredibly proud and excited to represent Chelsea FC, this fantastic football club,” he said. “I am very excited to partner with Chelsea’s new ownership group and look forward to meeting and working with the exciting group of players and developing a team and culture that our amazing fans can be proud of.”
Chelsea chairman Todd Boehly, who axed Tuchel on Wednesday, just seven games into the new season, said he was “thrilled” to bring Potter to the club.
“He is a proven coach and an innovator in the Premier League who fits our vision for the club,” Boehly said. “Not only is he extremely talented on the pitch, but he also has skills and capabilities that extend beyond the pitch, making Chelsea a more successful club.”
Potter was mooted as a candidate for the Manchester United job eventually filled by Erik ten Hag after masterminding Brighton’s highest-ever league finish last season despite operating on a limited budget.
But when Chelsea came calling, Brighton was unable to stand in his way as he had a release clause in his contract.
Potter’s impressive work in three years with Brighton, and during his previous spells at Swansea and Swedish club Ostersunds FK, marked him out as a rising managerial star.
His success in the dug-out has come after a modest playing career that included eight Premier League appearances at Southampton but was primarily spent in the lower leagues.
“I am very disappointed that Graham will be leaving us. He has done exceptionally well over the past three-and-a-bit seasons – he is an exceptional head coach and person,” said Brighton chairman Tony Bloom.
Despite all the plaudits, Chelsea will give Potter his first taste of dealing with the egos of superstar players, while coping with ultra-demanding new US owners.
Already tipped as a future England boss, Potter will face the sternest test of his career as he assesses a volatile situation at Stamford Bridge.