Chelsea’s new boss has been told that while Champions League qualification is a huge target this season, it is not going to make or break his job. 3 Graham Potter has been appointed as Thomas Tuchel’s successor just a day after the German was sackedCredit: EPA 3 Chelsea lost their first Champions League title to Dinamo Zagreb on TuesdayCredit: Rex 3 Todd Boehly is believed to be hiring Potter as part of a long-term planCredit: AP This is a huge departure from tradition at Chelsea, where it has been recognized as the minimum to remain in employment. But new president Todd Boehly and his fellow directors insist they’ll be with Potter for the long haul and that he’ll be given time. The former Brighton captain has signed a five-year deal worth more than £10m-a-year and has been told he will receive the full backing of the Stamford Bridge giants. Chelsea have finished outside the top four just twice in the last ten years — in 2016 and 2018. Both times the manager was fired. Jose Mourinho was sacked in December 2015 when the team was spiraling down the table. Antonio Conte got the boost after dropping one place and five points just three years later when he was in contention at the table. Boehly and his friends want to move away from Chelsea’s reputation for hiring and firing managers. Potter is the club’s sixth since Mourinho was axed seven years ago. But he has been tasked with revamping Chelsea’s style of football and joining the ‘long-term’ project brought in from above. Chelsea are currently sixth in the Premier League after a shaky start in which they have two defeats and one draw in their six games. Potter’s predecessor, Tomas Tuchel, was sacked on Wednesday morning, just hours after an embarrassing 1-0 defeat by Croatia’s Dinamo Zagreb in the Champions League. Chelsea were due to face a tough away game at local rivals Fulham today before all football was canceled due to The Queen’s death. Potter had his first practice yesterday. The Blues are reportedly preparing as usual for Wednesday’s Champions League clash with RB Salzburg at Stamford Bridge. Potter, 47, spent Thursday afternoon at Chelsea’s Cobham training ground, meeting staff at the club. Co-controlling owners Boehly and Behdad Eghbali addressed the staff, along with Potter. The manager then met his squad for the first time yesterday morning at Cobham, before getting to work on the training ground.
