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Former Chelsea boss Graham Potter breaks silence on Man United, England speculation

Potter to Man United? Ex-Chelsea boss breaks silence on Old Trafford links
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Former Chelsea head coach Graham Potter responds to speculation linking him with the managerial jobs at Manchester United and England.

Graham Potter has responded to speculation linking him with the managerial jobs at Manchester United and England.

The 49-year-old has been out of work since April 2023 when he was sacked by Chelsea after less than seven months in charge at Stamford Bridge.

Potter has since been linked with a plethora of managerial vacancies across Europe, with the ex-Brighton & Hove Albion boss understood to have turned down offers from clubs including Ajax and Lyon earlier this year.

A potential return to management with Man United has been mooted for Potter, who is one of a number of names that has been linked with succeeding under-pressure boss Erik ten Hag at Old Trafford.

Ten Hag signed a new two-year deal to remain Red Devils boss in the summer after winning the FA Cup, but his tenure has come under intense scrutiny once again following a miserable 3-0 defeat at home to Tottenham Hotspur last weekend.

Chelsea head coach Graham Potter during draw with Nottingham Forest on January 1, 2023.© Reuters

Would Potter consider Man United job offer?

Potter has since addressed the rumours linking him with the Man United job, telling Sky Sports on Monday Night Football: "I am the only coach in world football to be linked with Stoke City and Napoli in the same week.

"A lot of what I've read in the media is untrue and false. I take what the media say with a pinch of salt. I've had lots of conversations with lots of people. For the respect of everybody, it's best I keep it private.

"I don't think anything is impossible but jobs are difficult. That's the reality of life in the Premier League. If you're a big club like Manchester United and you're not in the top six, then there's always going to be scrutiny."

Potter added: "Sometimes you have to look beyond the results and look at the performances. [Man United have] missed a lot of chances and sometimes teams go through that where you don't start reflecting your xG [expected goals], and then a bad day comes along [like on Sunday] and the clouds come over pretty quickly - that's what they're facing."

Speculation linking Potter with Man United has resurfaced since the appointment of sporting director Dan Ashworth, who worked closely with Potter during their time together at Brighton.

Chelsea head coach Graham Potter during defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion on October 29, 2022.© Reuters

Potter responds to England speculation

Another managerial job that Potter has been linked with is the vacant England post following Gareth Southgate's resignation after Euro 2024 - Under-21s coach Lee Carsley is currently in interim charge as the Football Association search for a successor.

"As an Englishman, of course it's a fantastic job but I'm supportive of whatever the FA decide to do and whoever the coach is," said Potter.

"I think Gareth [Southgate] did a fantastic job and I'm sure Lee [Carsley] - for however long it is - will do really well."

Asked whether he would prefer to take a club job or test himself at international level for the first time, Potter added: "I'm open to anything, to be honest.

"I've had a fantastic journey over the last 12 years from the fourth tier of Swedish football to the last eight of the Champions League and I would like to spend the next 12 years in the same position, developing players, teams, working with people and making a difference. Wherever that is, I'm open to everything."

Prior to managing Chelsea, Potter was in charge at Brighton, Swansea City and Swedish outfit Ostersund where he began his coaching career back in 2011.

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Written by
Oliver Thomas

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