Kai Havertz admits Graham Potter's Chelsea sacking was 'frustrating'

Kai Havertz has described Graham Potter's departure from Chelsea as 'frustrating' as the club launched yet another new manager search.

Potter had been in charge at Stamford Bridge for less then seven months when he was fired on Sunday night in the wake of a 2-0 home defeat to Aston Villa with the club 11th in the table.

Bruno Saltor has taken temporary charge and his first game ended in a goalless draw with Liverpool on Tuesday evening.

Speaking after the game, in which he saw a goal disallowed for handball, Havertz admitted the lack of a long-term coach in the dug-out was disruptive for the players.

'First of all, I have to say it is really nice and we have to respect Bruno and the coaching staff for standing in front of the team when the manager got the sack,' Havertz told Sky Sports.

'The club has to respect those guys. But it is not our job to think about who is coming in, it is up to the owners to decide that.

'We have to do our job on the pitch but when you have a manager long-term it is easier for us players.

'It is not nice, we have to take responsibility for what is going on. We are at the front, everyone sees us.

'We are all very frustrated to see Graham go but we have to accept the situation.'

Chelsea would have been good value for a morale-boosting win against Liverpool but the teams played out a goalless draw for the fourth consecutive meeting.

Both Havertz and Reece James put the ball in the Liverpool net only to see their efforts chalked off by VAR, with Chelsea carving out the better opportunities.

The stalemate leaves them down in 11th, behind west London neighbours Brentford and Fulham, while Liverpool sit eighth, some seven points off the Champions League places.

Chelsea have made contact with Julian Nagelsmann and Luis Enrique as their promised 'exhaustive' search for Potter's successor swings into action.

Both coaches are out of work and feature highly in bookmakers' lists of potential replacements as co-sporting directors Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart lead the search.

Nagelsmann is known to Stewart and the club's technical director Christopher Vivell, having worked with both at RB Leipzig.

Chelsea had previously been in touch via intermediaries to learn more about Nagelsmann's plans following his dismissal from Bayern Munich.

The 35-year-old is keen to understand more about the club, its structure and the level of influence he would be able to have. He is not thought to be in a rush to return to management and is weighing up when to make a comeback.

Nagelsmann also has other admirers including Real Madrid, whose job could be available in the summer, and Tottenham. Of the two Premier League sides, Chelsea would be in pole position for the German.

Luis Enrique departed as Spain's head coach when his contract ended after the World Cup in December. He spoke of his aim to work in England just last week and specifically his wish to lead 'a team there that can do important things.'

Chelsea are also expected to speak to former Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino, a contender for the job before Potter was appointed last September. Pochettino is also in his old club and Real Madrid’s sights.

Sporting Lisbon’s Ruben Amorim is another well-regarded manager and was discussed by Chelsea before Potter’s appointment.

However, he signed a new contract until 2026 in November and has publicly stated his intention to see that out. Amorim said he would only leave Sporting if the release clause in his deal was met.

Chelsea have opted against a move for another raid on Brighton for Roberto De Zerbi, whose contract also contains a buyout clause.