Graham Potter will not face the sack if Chelsea fail to make the top four.
Chelsea owner Todd Boehly is determined to bring success to the club - but missing out on the Champions League will not necessarily be a deal breaker for the new manager.
That is a big departure from the Roman Abramovich era as the former Chelsea owner gained a reputation for axing managers as soon as it became clear they were struggling to reach the top four. That is still the minimum aim for Potter this season - to get the club back into the Champions League places after a sticky start - but it will not make or break him as Chelsea boss.
The new Chelsea hierarchy have indicated they see Potter as a long-term appointment having given him a five year deal worth over more than £50m.
They believe that he can build a squad, improve and develop young players and enjoy sustained success both in the Premier League and in Europe as well as domestic trophies.
Therefore, they are determined to move away from the “hire and fire ” culture of Abramovich and, despite sacking Thomas Tuchel just 100 days after taking over, Boehly and fellow owner Behdad Eghbali have reassured Potter that he will be given time and support.
The likes of Jose Mourinho, Luiz Felipe Scolari and Andre Villas Boas were all sacked as soon as it became clear that they may not reach the Champions League and 14 different bosses served during Abramovich’s 20 years at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea currently sit sixth in the Premier League after a disappointing start to the campaign while they also lost their opening game in the Champions League, losing 1-0 to Dinamo Zagreb which saw Tuchel sacked the following morning.
However, there is a belief that Potter can turn around the club’s fortunes quickly and improve results with plenty of time left to make changes and they will not make panic decisions or judge him solely on whether he makes the top four.
