Two Premier League managers were axed overnight as the competition enters the home stretch.
First it was Leicester manager Brendan Rodgers, whose side is now in severe danger of relegation after picking up just one point in six games.
Then came Chelsea, who sacked Graham Potter after just six months in charge as they slipped into the bottom half of the ladder.
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“Chelsea FC has announced that Graham Potter has departed the club. Graham has agreed to collaborate with the club to facilitate a smooth transition,” Chelsea said in a statement.
“Chelsea would like to thank Graham for all his efforts and contribution and wish him well for the future.”
Chelsea’s 2-0 home defeat to Aston Villa on Saturday left them in 11th place in the table and five points off any European spot.
Potter, 47, had replaced Thomas Tuchel at Chelsea in September last year after a successful three-year spell with Brighton.
He spent around £323 million ($A596m) in a record-breaking January transfer window spree, but couldn’t find domestic form.
Nevertheless, he had guided them to a Champions League quarter-final against Real Madrid, the first leg of which takes place in 10 days’ time.
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In the aftermath of Saturday’s defeat, Potter had sensed the writing was on the wall.
“I don’t like to blame anybody, I have to take responsibility,” said Potter who was widely booed by Chelsea fans.
“We can feel the pain of the supporters … I understand when you lose at home, the emotion of the game is such that people are going to be disappointed and frustrated and angry.
“Where we are in the league table, no one’s happy with. Whatever criticism comes I have to accept.”
Chelsea said that Bruno Saltor will take charge of the team as interim head coach.
“We have the highest degree of respect for Graham as a coach and as a person. He has always conducted himself with professionalism and integrity and we are all disappointed in this outcome,” co-owners Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali said in a statement.
“Along with our incredible fans, we will all be getting behind Bruno and the team as we focus on the rest of the season.
“We have 10 Premier League games remaining and a Champions League quarterfinal ahead. We will put every effort and commitment into every one of those games so that we can end the season on a high.”
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LEICESTER SACK RODGERS
Of the sides in the bottom half of the table only West Ham have now resisted sacking their manager this season after Leicester finally showed Rodgers the door on Sunday.
The former Liverpool boss led the Foxes to back-to-back fifth-placed finishes in his first two full seasons in charge, as well as lifting the FA Cup for the first time in the club’s history in 2021.
That success had afforded the Northern Irishman patience early in the campaign despite Leicester losing six of their first seven games.
But panic has now set in at the King Power with relegation a real danger.
The Foxes dropped into the relegation zone after conceding late to lose 2-1 at Crystal Palace on Saturday, a damaging result which extended their winless run to seven games.
He delivered two top-five finishes in the Premier League and the club’s first ever FA Cup win in 2021.
In a club statement, chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha said: “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, particularly given our previous achievements under Brendan’s management.
“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.”
In-form Aston Villa visit the King Power on Tuesday before Saturday’s clash against fellow strugglers Bournemouth.
But the Foxes were unable to continue punching above their weight as many of their key players were picked off by richer Premier League clubs.
Manchester United captain Harry Maguire and Chelsea duo Ben Chilwell and Wesley Fofana were among those who left the club during Rodgers’ reign.
Despite selling that trio at a huge profit, Leicester continue to haemorrhage money due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, a rising wage bill and a new £100-million ($123-million) training facility.
That saw Rodgers handed a tight transfer budget this season and the impact has been felt on the pitch.
