Graham Potter leaves Brighton for Chelsea manager's job
He's departed from the Amex after three years in charge of the Seagulls
Chelsea have announced the appointment of Brighton's Graham Potter as their new head coach on a five-year contract.
Potter, who joins the Blues less than 48 hours after the sacking of manager Thomas Tuchel, guided the Seagulls to their highest finish of ninth in the Premier League last season.
Potter said: "I am incredibly proud and excited to represent Chelsea FC, this fantastic football club.
"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."
Also departing are his assistant Billy Reid, first-team coaches Bjorn Hamberg and Bruno, goalkeeping coach Ben Roberts and assistant head of recruitment Kyle Macaulay.
The Seagulls' under-21 head coach Andrew Crofts will take charge of the club for Saturday's Premier League match at Bournemouth.
He will be assisted by winger Adam Lallana as the club searches for a new head coach.
Brighton 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.”