Adam Lallana appointed as interim Brighton coach for this weekend after Graham Potter joined Chelsea

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.

Lallana will support Andrew Crofts (pictured) as interim head coach this weekend

Graham Potter has been appointed as the Chelsea manager to replace sacked Thomas Tuchel

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.

Potter will bring members of his Brighton staff with him, including coach Billy Reid (right)

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.

The speed at which the process moved, though, convinced some at Brighton of that fact and that Potter had been in Chelsea’s sights for some time.

Potter impressed in talks with co-controlling owners Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali on Wednesday having been given permission to talk to Chelsea earlier in the day after they agreed to pay his £15m release clause.

Potter was spotted arriving at Chelsea’s Cobham training ground on Thursday afternoon

We are thrilled to bring Graham to Chelsea,’ Blues owner Boehly said. ‘He is a proven coach and an innovator in the Premier League who fits our vision for the club. 

‘Not only is he extremely talented on the pitch, he has skills and capabilities that extend beyond the pitch which will make Chelsea a more successful club. 

‘He has had a major impact at his previous clubs’ and we look forward to his positive impact at Chelsea. We look forward to supporting him, his coaching team and the squad in realising their full potential in the coming months and years.’