Brighton appoint Adam Lallana as interim player-coach after Graham Potter's departure

Brighton have appointed Adam Lallana to help take charge of the team, as they look for a new manager, following the departure of Graham Potter.

On Thursday afternoon, Chelsea confirmed the signing of Potter, having sacked Thomas Tuchel earlier in the week after the Blues lost to Dinamo Zagreb in the Champions League.

Potter had been on the south coast for the past three years, leading them to their greatest ever league finish last season, and has built an impressive team during his time there.

The 47-year-old will be hard to replace for the Seagulls and they've already lost their first choice to take over temporarily, with coach, and former player, Bruno, joining Potter at Stamford Bridge.

According to the Telegraph, Lallana will take charge of the team ahead of the game against Bournemouth on Saturday, along with under 21 coach Andrew Crofts.

Under 21 assistant Shannon Ruth, set-play coach Nick Stanley and assistant goalkeeping coach Jack Stern will all help out with the running of the first team.

The 34-year-old midfielder's promotion to the coaching team comes despite the fact he isn't club captain and will certainly come as a shock to many.

He has so far played three games for the Premier League side this season, coming off against West Ham with an injury with just under half an hour to play last month.

Lallana is still out since that game and won't be available for the Bournemouth game, and after that Brighton don't have to wait for a couple of weeks due to their game with Crystal Palace being suspended already.

Fans have already taken to social media in surprise at the former Liverpool and Southampton star becoming interim coach.

Adam Lallana first game as a manager against Bournemouth pic.twitter.com/E23XuP6cM6

— mohamed 🍥 (@Mohamed_therad) September 8, 2022

Adam Lallana in the changing room tomorrow before training #BHAFC pic.twitter.com/m79X2f68S0

— Owen🇪🇨 (@owen_bhafc) September 8, 2022

The league ain’t ready for Lallana ball pic.twitter.com/gYtDhES88l

— ibouuuuuuu (@mxskiii) September 8, 2022

Crying imagine Adam Lallana shouting at you from the touchline, you’d have to turn around and tell him to shut the fuck up https://t.co/xxt2S9YjKH

— Harry (@ArryLavsTheYids) September 8, 2022

Adam Lallana becoming a manager is something I didn’t expect but expected at the same time lmao

— Samuel (@SamueILFC) September 8, 2022

ADAM LALLANA'S BLUE AND WHITE ARMY 🔵⚪️ #BHAFC pic.twitter.com/cNp0FumZH4

— ＊ (@bhafcmax_) September 8, 2022

This weekend we will see Adam Lallana’s Brighton take on Gary O’Neil’s Bournemouth in the Premier League.

— Callum Castel (@callumcasteln) September 8, 2022

Tuchel's departure came following his 100th game for the club, having led them to two FA Cup finals and a Carabao Cup final, as well as winning the Champions League, UEFA Super League and FIFA Club World Cup during his time.

Blues' fans have been getting emotional over the former Paris Saint-Germain manager saying he was looking forward to another 200 games and more in charge.