Newcastle United’s Premier League rivals rocked by a managerial & five staffing exits

Brighton and Hove Albion are searching for a new manager after Graham Potter left to join Chelsea.

The Blues sacked Thomas Tuchel on Wednesday just hours after their 1-0 Champions League group stage defeat to Dinamo Zagreb.

Chelsea were granted permission by Brighton to speak with Potter on the same day, who travelled to West London for talks.

Potter agreed to take up the position at Stamford Bridge and bid farewell to Brighton staff and players at their training ground this morning.

Graham Potter appointed Chelsea boss

“I am incredibly proud and excited to represent Chelsea FC, this fantastic football club,” Potter 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 to develop a team and culture that our amazing fans can be proud of.

“I would also like to place my sincere thanks to Brighton & Hove Albion for allowing me this opportunity and in particular Tony Bloom and all the players, staff and supporters for their continued support during my time at the club.”

Graham Potter not the only person leaving Brighton

Not only are the Seagulls losing Potter, who is taking five backroom staff with him to the Bridge in assistant manager Billy Reid, first-team coaches Bjorn Hamberg and Bruno, goalkeeping coach Ben Roberts and assistant head of recruitment Kyle Macaulay.

Chairman Tony Bloom said: “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 an exceptional person. He will be hugely missed at our football club.

“He leaves an excellent legacy for his successor with the club in its highest ever position, and on the back of leading us to our highest finish in the club’s history last season.

“I would like to thank Graham, Billy, Bjorn, Bruno, Ben and Kyle for their work here, and wish them all the very best for the future.

“While our attention is now on appointing Graham’s successor as head coach our immediate focus, of course, is on Saturday’s game at Bournemouth and supporting Andrew Crofts as interim head coach.”

Andrew Crofts placed in interim charge

Under-21s coach Andrew Crofts will take charge of this weekend’s Premier League clash with Bournemouth.

Technical director David Weir added: “I would like to thank Graham and all his staff for everything they’ve done. They have been a pleasure to work with throughout my time at the club. Graham has done a superb job for us and I wish him well for the future.

“However, we need to move on quickly and the main priority now is to give Crofty all the support he needs in preparing the players for the game at Bournemouth this weekend.

“He took training today and will take the team for the game. Simultaneously, we will start work on recruiting a new head coach, and after the weekend we have period of time to do that.”

Newcastle drew 0-0 with Brighton at the Amex Stadium last month when Potter was still in charge.