Who Is Bruno Saltor? New Interim Chelsea Manager Is 42-Year-Old Brighton Legend

Bruno Saltor has been appointed as Chelsea's new manager. But who is Bruno Saltor and what has he done prior to replacing Graham Potter on an interim basis?

Chelsea released a statement on Sunday night to confirm that manager Graham Potter had been fired.

Sixty-eight words into that statement, Chelsea revealed: "Bruno Saltor will take charge of the team as Interim Head Coach."

Bruno will pick the team for Tuesday's Premier League game against Liverpool and will remain in charge until a successor for Potter has been appointed.

Who Is Bruno Saltor?

Known widely by just his first name, Bruno, 42, is most famous for his seven seasons as a Brighton player.

The former right-back joined Brighton from Valencia in 2012 and went on to play 235 games for the South Coast club.

Bruno's first five seasons in England were in the EFL Championship but he captained Brighton to promotion to the Premier League in 2017.

After playing 39 EPL games, he retired as a player in 2019 but remained at the club as a senior player development coach.

When Potter left Brighton to take charge of Chelsea in September last year, he took Bruno with him as an assistant coach.

Chelsea coach Bruno Saltor Grau pictured in November 2022 :: IMAGO/Sportimage/Paul Terry

Bruno's biography on ChelseaFC.com currently reads: "Former Brighton player Bruno Saltor Grau has been in coaching since retiring at the end of the 2018/19 season and joined Graham Potter in moving to Stamford Bridge in 2022.

"The Spaniard is considered a legend at Brighton, having spent a successful seven years on the South Coast. He guided the club as captain to a first promotion to the top flight in 34 years.

"He signed for Brighton from La Liga side Valencia in 2012 and went on to make 39 Premier League appearances between 2017 and 2019.

"He surpassed 10 years of service with the Seagulls in June 2022, having been appointed part of the club's coaching staff in 2019, after he hung up his boots."

During his playing career, Bruno also represented Almeria, Lleida, Gimnastic and Espanyol.