Eight months after being relieved of his duties as Chelsea’s head coach, Graham Potter is reportedly open to returning to managerial roles, as disclosed by 90min. Despite recent rumors linking him to Manchester United, Potter, who signed a five-year contract at Stamford Bridge last September, is ready to embrace new challenges in 2024.
The 48-year-old faced a turbulent tenure at Chelsea, winning only 12 of 31 games in all competitions before his departure in April, following a 2-0 home loss to Aston Villa.
It’s noteworthy that Potter declined managerial opportunities at Lyon and Leicester after leaving Chelsea, dispelling earlier speculation about his potential move to Championship strugglers Stoke City.
While Potter is reportedly in contention to succeed Erik ten Hag at Manchester United, the club is grappling with a tumultuous period, marked by their premature exit from the Champions League after a 12th consecutive defeat against Bayern Munich. Sitting sixth in the Premier League and failing to qualify for the Europa League, United faces considerable challenges.
Erik ten Hag, currently at the helm of Manchester United, is under mounting pressure, especially after a disheartening 3-0 defeat to Bournemouth. Allegations of discord within the team and uncertainty surrounding the future of star players have further intensified the situation.
Bookmakers favor Potter as a potential replacement for Ten Hag, and there’s indication that INEOS, set to acquire a 25% share in United, supports Potter.
Potter’s managerial prowess, particularly during his successful tenure at Brighton, where he elevated the team’s standing, is acknowledged.
His achievements at Swansea City and Ostersund, leading the latter from Sweden’s fourth division to the Europa League in 2017–18, highlight his managerial capabilities. Notably, Ostersund famously defeated Arsenal 2-1 at the Emirates Stadium during that campaign.
Despite the potential interest in Potter from Manchester United’s new administration, 90min suggests that significant changes in the club’s management may not occur until a new football department is established.
While the decision on Ten Hag’s future with the club hangs in the balance, United has expressed support for him to reverse their performance trajectory. Although off-field challenges have stirred discontent among fans, the team did secure the Carabao Cup last year, ending a six-year trophy drought.
As Graham Potter contemplates a managerial return, the intrigue around his potential role at Manchester United adds a layer of uncertainty to the ongoing narrative at Old Trafford, where both on-field and off-field matters are subjects of scrutiny and speculation.