BREAKING NEWS: Brighton has named former Liverpool star interim player coach amidst Graham Potter's exit

 

Brighton midfielder Adam Lallana will sensationally make the step up to interim coach this weekend for their trip to Bournemouth.

It comes after permanent boss Graham Potter was announced as the new Chelsea boss on a five-year deal.

But the 34-year-old will now support Andrew Crofts as interim head coach for their trip to the Vitality Stadium this weekend.

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,' Brighton chairman Tony Bloom said.

Crofts - currently Brighton's U21 coach - will also be supported by his assistant Shannon Ruth, set-play coach Nick Stanley and assistant goalkeeping coach Jack Stern.

Lallana is currently out with a calf injury and is not expected to return to the playing squad until the Seagulls face his former club Liverpool on October 1.

The club therefore have time to name a replacement for Potter after this weekend's game, with next week's fixture at the Amex against rivals Crystal Palace - scheduled to be their final game before the international break - postponed due to train strikes.

But they will now play all these games without Potter, who will now take charge of the Blues for the first time when they take on west London rivals Fulham on the same day.

'I am incredibly proud and excited to represent Chelsea FC, this fantastic football club,' Potter said.

'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 and in particular Tony Bloom and all the players, staff and supporters for their continued support during my time at the club.' 

Potter will bring a number of members of his Brighton staff with him to Stamford Bridge, including coaches Bjorn Hamberg and Billy Reid plus assistant recruitment chief Kyle Macaulay.

Chelsea moved swiftly to land Potter after calling time on Thomas Tuchel's reign on Wednesday morning.

Potter quickly emerged as Chelsea's clear first choice with former Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino and Sporting Lisbon's Ruben Amorim among the managers also considered.