MX23RW : Friday, May 3 01:40:28| >> :120:9714:9714:

Graham Potter 'meets with Sir Jim Ratcliffe over Manchester United job'

Potter 'meets with Ratcliffe over Man United job'
© Reuters
Sir Jim Ratcliffe - who is expected to purchase a stake in Manchester United - reportedly targets former Chelsea head coach Graham Potter as a replacement for Erik ten Hag.

Graham Potter has reportedly emerged as a potential managerial target for Manchester United.

For a number of weeks, it has been claimed that Sir Jim Ratcliffe is on the brink of purchasing a stake in United that would give him control over football operations.

That would involve transfers that may or may not be made from the January transfer window onwards and who is in the chief role in the Old Trafford dugout.

Erik ten Hag's future is considered up in the air, a consequence of United losing seven of their opening 16 Premier League fixtures and already being eliminated from the Champions League.

With the Red Devils out of Europe altogether for 2023-24, their spending capabilities next month could be hit, yet there is expected to be movement with as many as five players allegedly available for transfer for the right price.

Ineos chairman Sir Jim Ratcliffe arrives for the annual Red Cross Gala in Monte Carlo on July 18, 2022© Reuters

Whether Ten Hag will be given the opportunity to tinker with his United squad remains to be seen with a total of 24 defeats having been posted in his 86 games in charge.

Furthermore, it was claimed earlier this week that Ratcliffe held an interest in appointing former Spain, Real Madrid, Sevilla and Wolverhampton Wanderers boss Julen Lopetegui as his replacement.

However, according to The Sun, Ratcliffe has already held discussions with Potter to gauge whether he would be interested in taking over at United.

Potter has been out of a job since April when he was sacked as Chelsea boss after just 31 matches, with a total of 12 wins, eight draws and 11 defeats being recorded during that time.

Chelsea head coach Graham Potter during EFL Cup defeat at Manchester City on November 9, 2022.© Reuters

Nevertheless, the Englishman left Stamford Bridge with his reputation intact having had to manage in excess of 30 first-team players at the club's Cobham training ground, a consequence of the spending of co-owners Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital.

As well as only having a marginally poorer win-ratio at Chelsea in comparison to Mauricio Pochettino, Potter also has credit in the bank from laying the foundations for Brighton & Hove Albion's progression under Roberto De Zerbi.

Ratcliffe's admiration of Potter is no secret with the 48-year-old having previously been targeted to become head coach at Nice, who are owned by Ratcliffe.

United's next three fixtures see them face Liverpool, West Ham United and Aston Villa, putting Ten Hag under increasing pressure to instigate a turnaround after home defeats to Bournemouth and Bayern Munich.

ID:531320:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect5036:

Erik ten Hag future - Click here for more stories

Click here for more stories about Jim Ratcliffe

Click here for more stories about Manchester United

Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Wolverhampton Wanderers head coach Julen Lopetegui on May 6, 2023.
Read Next:
Lopetegui 'in pole position to replace Ten Hag at Man United'
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free match previews newsletter! Updates are sent twice a week.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
12pm
Fritz
Rublev
7pm
Auger-Aliassime
Lehecka
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal35255585285780
2Manchester CityMan City34247382325079
3Liverpool35229477364175
4Aston Villa35207873522167
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs341861067541360
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd34166125251154
7Newcastle UnitedNewcastle341651374551953
8Chelsea34149116559651
9West Ham UnitedWest Ham351310125665-949
10Bournemouth35139135260-848
11Wolverhampton WanderersWolves35137154855-746
12Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton341111125257-544
13Fulham35127165155-443
14Crystal Palace351010154557-1240
15Everton35128153748-1136
16Brentford3598185260-835
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3579194262-2026
18Luton TownLuton3567224877-2925
19Burnley3559213870-3224
RSheffield UnitedSheff Utd3537253497-6316


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!