Eight months after being dismissed as Chelsea’s head coach, Graham Potter is poised to return to managerial roles, as reported by 90min. Following his departure from Chelsea in April, Potter turned down offers from Lyon and Leicester, and rumors linking him to Championship side Stoke City were unfounded. Now, he is reportedly open to returning to management in 2024.
Recent speculation suggests that Potter is in the running to replace Erik ten Hag at Manchester United. The club has faced significant challenges, crashing out of the Champions League and struggling in the Premier League, currently sitting sixth after losing seven of their 16 games. Ten Hag is under increasing pressure, especially after a discouraging 3-0 loss to Bournemouth.
Potter is favored by bookmakers to succeed Ten Hag at Old Trafford, and it appears that INEOS, the company led by Sir Jim Ratcliffe set to acquire a 25% share in United, supports Potter. INEOS also controls OGC Nice, and Potter was considered for the CEO position before Francesco Farioli was appointed in June.
While Potter’s work is reportedly highly regarded by members of United’s potential new administration, major changes in Manchester may not occur until a new football department is established. The decision regarding Ten Hag’s future will likely hinge on upcoming results, as the club has expressed support for him to turn things around.
United has faced off-field problems, and their recent actions in the transfer market have sparked dissatisfaction among fans. Despite this, there were signs of on-field improvement last year when the team won the Carabao Cup, ending a six-year trophy drought.
Potter’s coaching career includes a successful tenure at Brighton, where he helped elevate the team’s status, as well as stints at Swansea City and Ostersund. Notably, he led Ostersund from Sweden’s fourth division to the Europa League in the 2017–18 season, famously defeating Arsenal 2-1 at the Emirates Stadium.
