According to The Athletic, Chelsea players and most Chelsea staffs were not told Graham Potter was going to be sacked in advance in order to avoid leaks.

Potter was expected by everyone to be in charge of the game against Liverpool on Tuesday despite the 2-0 defeat to Aston Villa on Saturday.

Potter is believed to have taken the news, delivered face-to-face at the training ground, in an incredibly professional manner.

He has agreed a severance package unrelated to the five-year deal he signed when he replaced the sacked Thomas Tuchel last September.