Top English Premier League clubsides, Chelsea and Leicester, have had to sack their managers after poor showings in the 2022/23 league season.
After a disappointing run of defeats that has dropped the expensively assembled Chelsea squad to 11th in the Premier League, the London club announced on Sunday that manager Graham Potter has been fired.
Chelsea’s new ownership signed Englishman Potter away from Brighton & Hove Albion in September, but after only 31 games (and 12 victories), they fired him.
Although finishing first in their Champions League group under Potter’s watch after victories over AC Milan and Borussia Dortmund, the team’s domestic form deteriorated, and they dropped from the top four to the lower half of the table.
Chelsea’s 2-0 loss to Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge on Saturday was his last game in charge, and the outcome was met with whistles and jeers from the club’s diehard fans as it put Chelsea 12 points below the top four and in risk of losing out on Europe next season.
“Graham has agreed to collaborate with the club to facilitate a smooth transition,” Chelsea said in a statement.
“In his time with the club, Graham has taken us to the quarter final of the Champions League, where we will face Real Madrid. Chelsea would like to thank Graham for all his efforts and contribution and wish him well for the future.
“Bruno Saltor will take charge of the team as interim head coach.”
In their own case, Leicester City and manager Brendan Rodgers split ways amicably, the Premier League club announced on Sunday, with the Foxes currently 19th in the standings and in danger of relegation.
Leicester City finished Rodgers’ tenure as manager with 25 points after 28 games following Saturday’s 2-1 loss to Crystal Palace. Since February 11 across all competitions, they have won just once.
Leicester beat the odds to win the Premier League in 2015–16, but now, after nine years in the top division, they face relegation.
“Performances and results during the current season have been below our shared expectations. It had been our belief that continuity and stability would be key to correcting our course,” Leicester chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha said.
“Regrettably, the desired improvement has not been forthcoming and, with 10 games of the season remaining, the Board is compelled to take alternative action to protect our Premier League status.”
After leading Celtic to two Premier League titles and two domestic trebles in Scotland, Rodgers joined Leicester in February 2019.
In 2021, under his leadership, Leicester won the FA Cup for the first time by defeating Chelsea in the championship game. Under his watch, the team also finished fifth in both 2019 and 2021.
