Bruno Saltor has suggested that the influence of departing Chelsea boss Graham Potter has led to him becoming interim head coach.
On Sunday evening, the Blues announced that they had sacked Potter after just 31 matches in charge, the decision being made on the back of a 2-0 defeat to Aston Villa a day earlier.
Since that development, a wide array of names have been linked with the vacant position, with Julian Nagelsmann emerging as the clear favourite at this stage.
In the short term, however, Bruno - one of Potter's backroom staff - has been given the responsibility of trying to negotiate the upcoming schedule, starting with Liverpool on Tuesday night.
Although Chelsea sit in 11th position in the Premier League standings, they sit just four points adrift of the eighth-placed visitors, albeit having playing a game more than their next opponents.
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Bruno lacks experience as the senior man in the dugout, his role at Brighton & Hove Albion before joining Chelsea being a senior player development coach.
Nevertheless, the Spaniard feels that the class of Potter, who is 'collaborating with the club to ensure a smooth transition', is the reason why he has received an unforeseen promotion.
Speaking to reporters at a press conference, Bruno said: "If I am here right now, it's because Graham and the club they thought it was the right step and I'm here just trying to help the club and trying to be the most professional I can.
"Just trying to keep the process going and we just try to go along the best we can and I think Graham did an amazing job. Football is a really complex business and we have to keep going."
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"First of all it is a sad day. A sad day for staff because Graham and Billy (Reid) leaving, two top coaches, top people, top human beings.
"How I see it is, I have to be the most professional I can. Try to help the players, guide the players to prepare the game the best we can."
Bruno added that he would be working with the same group of players from the Villa match, seemingly leaving Wesley Fofana and Raheem Sterling out of contention due to hamstring injuries.
Chelsea are currently having to contend with a busy schedule with trips to Wolverhampton Wanderers and Real Madrid to follow the showdown with Liverpool.
Darren Plant
