Graham Potter has emerged as the most expensive managerial acquisition in football history, after Brighton revealed their accounts for 2021/22. Chelsea reportedly paid £21.5 million for the Englishman to make the move to London, in what is an unprecedented investment.
Transfer fees are mostly reserved for players in football, while managers are often recruited on ‘free transfers’. However, every once in a while a situation like Potter’s emerges where the manager leaves before the end of their contract. And this is where the extra money is made.
Chelsea’s world record fee for Graham Potter revealed
The £21.5 million reported for the manager is after their balance sheet was drawn up. It was included in the post balance sheet events section, which also acknowledged the appointment of Roberto De Zerbi as their new first team manager.
The Italian has gone on to have a flying start at Brighton, with his team on the verge of qualifying for Europe while also being in the FA Cup semi-finals. Graham Potter, on the other hand, has not had the best time with his new side.
A dismal run of form in December, January and February has seen Chelsea remain in tenth place. The horde of new signings for Potter has not made things any easier, especially given the amount of money being spent to bring these new players in.
Todd Boehly and his board are backing Potter for the long-term and want to give him a full pre-season to implement his ideas. As a result, they will not be sacking him in spite of poor results this season.
