Ex Chelsea manager Graham Potter ignores Premier League jobs because of Gareth Southgate

Since his departure from Chelsea fourteen months ago, Graham Potter has been unemployed. However, the 49-year-old is not pressing to return to management in the immediate future.

Graham Potter, a former manager of Brighton and Chelsea, is not in a hurry to return to the dugout as he awaits the England job’s availability.

Potter resigned as manager of Chelsea in April 2023, having served for only seven months. He began the season at Brighton but was transferred to Stamford Bridge, where he oversaw a dismal campaign for the Blues, which finished 12th in the Premier League, their lowest-ever finish. During his 31 matches in west London, he secured only 12 victories.

In spite of this, Potter has been affiliated with a number of managerial positions, including Ajax, Napoli, and Nice, over the past fourteen months. Currently, former club Brighton, which is searching for a replacement for Roberto De Zerbi, and Leicester, which is preparing to lose Enzo Maresca, are evaluating the 49-year-old.

According to The Sun, Potter’s primary motivation for postponing his return to management is the possibility of replacing Gareth Southgate in the England dugout, despite the fact that he is earning a substantial salary during his gardening leave from Chelsea. Sitting at Manchester United, Potter is an alternative choice should Sir Jim Ratcliffe elect to substitute Erik ten Hag.

Potter reportedly would accept the United position if offered the opportunity, but his primary objective is to lead England. Southgate, whose contract expires at the conclusion of this year, has put an end to speculation regarding his future until after Euro 2024, in an effort to lead England to their first major tournament victory since 1966.

Potter has engaged in information gathering discussions with numerous clubs over the past few months, as opposed to proactively seeking a new position. Since beginning his professional management career at Ostersunds in Sweden and subsequently relocating to England to work for Swansea, Brighton, and Chelsea, he has been on an ascent.

England’s Euro 2024 campaign will commence with their initial group match against Serbia in two weeks. Prior to that, on Monday, the Three Lions will travel to St. James’ Park to face Bosnia and Herzegovina, and on that day, they will play their final warm-up match before the tournament, Iceland, at Wembley.

Monday, prior to the match in Newcastle, Southgate stated, “We have thoroughly relished taking the team on the road. Undoubtedly, representing one’s nation at Wembley is an incredible honor, and that fact should never be overlooked. This week presents a lovely contrast in that we have the opportunity to do both.

“However, we are England.” We are all representatives of the people. Having played football in the North East, I am well aware of the region’s football fervor.

“Newcastle, given their recent form and momentum, will have a significant number of Sunderland and Middlesbrough supporters in attendance.” The evening will be absolutely magnificent. “I am extremely excited for that.”