The Athletic.

So late last night, Chelsea sacked Graham Potter after just seven months in charge.

In a statement, the club said,

Graham has agreed to collaborate with the club to facilitate a smooth transition.

I have no idea whether we'll be able to tell you what that means or not over the next

half hour or so. But hopefully we'll tell you why Chelsea acted now, who's in the frame to

take over and where Potter himself might end up next. Oh, we might touch on Brendan Rogers

being sacked as well, or leaving, whatever they choose to phrase it as. I'm Mark Chapman. This is the Athletic Football Podcast.

Booze around Stamford Bridge as the home side slump into the lower half of the Premier League table.

The record books will say it is another defeat.

Joining us for this one then, the Athletics David Donstein, Adam Crafton and our Chelsea correspondent, Simon Johnson, who could probably do with

a good night's sleep. Let's deal with the collaborate first, David, because I had to text

you last night before doing another show going, what on earth does that mean? That is a very good

question. I suspect it means that this has been conducted amicably and that Graham Potter hasn't caused a huge fuss about Chelsea's decision.

There's not much he can do about it anyway.

But that he's taken it in good grace and that everything has remained cordial and friendly.

And he has cooperated with the process that will see him

receive a market rate compensation, not for the entirety of the remaining duration on his

five-year contract that was signed in September 2022, and also that he was compliant in

and understanding in the process to allow his staff in the majority to stay on behind

and manage Chelsea in the interim period while they try and appoint a permanent successor.

So I think that is management speak for not throwing the toys out of the pram and going to war with your now former employers.

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