Chelsea 'add Luis Enrique to list of potential Graham Potter replacements'

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 06 February 2023

Chelsea 'add Luis Enrique to list of potential Potter replacements'

Chelsea reportedly identify former Spain and Barcelona boss Luis Enrique as a potential replacement for the under-fire Graham Potter.

Chelsea have reportedly earmarked former Spain and Barcelona manager Luis Enrique as a potential successor to Graham Potter.

Potter only arrived at Stamford Bridge in September following the sacking of Thomas Tuchel, but the 47-year-old's long-term future is coming under increasing uncertainty.

The former Brighton & Hove Albion head coach went unbeaten in his first nine games in charge of Chelsea, who have since won just two of their last 11 games in all tournaments.

Chelsea's sticky patch has left them ninth in the Premier League table and 10 points adrift of the Champions League places, although Potter was backed with significant funds in the winter transfer market.

Welcoming Enzo Fernandez, Joao Felix, Noni Madueke, Mykhaylo Mudryk, Benoit Badiashile, Malo Gusto, Andrey Santos and David Datro Fofana to the club, Potter will be given time to integrate the eight new faces as he aims to turn Chelsea's fortunes around.

Chelsea head coach Graham Potter during defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion on October 29, 2022. © Reuters

With a contract until 2027, Potter is in no immediate danger of being let go, but the Blues board will have a big decision to make should the Englishman fail to guide Chelsea out of their mid-season slump.

According to Fichajes, Enrique is admired by the powers-that-be at Stamford Bridge, although Atletico Madrid have also identified the Spaniard as an ideal new head coach.

The Rojiblancos could be waving goodbye to the long-serving Diego Simeone at the end of the season, and Enrique is supposedly ready to take up a new club opportunity in Europe.

The 52-year-old left his position as Spain head coach following a disappointing 2022 World Cup campaign, where La Roja were knocked out by Morocco on penalties in the last 16.

Enrique previously took charge of Roma, Celta Vigo and Barcelona prior to his national team appointment, and he enjoyed an eye-catching period of success with the latter between 2014 and 2017.

Spain coach Luis Enrique during training on November 14, 2022 © Reuters

In his first full season as Barcelona manager, Enrique completed a Champions League, La Liga and Copa del Rey treble, for which he was named the World's Best Club Coach.

The Spaniard won another La Liga title and two more Copa del Reys with the Blaugrana, alongside the Club World Cup, UEFA Super Cup and Supercopa de Espana before stepping down in 2017.

Enrique won 20, drew 11 and lost seven of his 38 games in charge of Spain during his second spell, having previously left his role in 2019 due to personal reasons before returning.

Eintracht Frankfurt's Oliver Glasner is also thought to be on the Blues' list of potential successors to Potter, while Jose Mourinho is supposedly keen on a third spell at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea will aim to end a three-game winless and scoreless run in the Premier League when they travel to meet West Ham United on Saturday lunchtime.