Graham Potter has been offered a host of managerial positions since being sacked by Chelsea in early April 2023 but as yet, the 48-year-old has decided to bide his time before stepping back into the dugout. Potter’s discernment during a time when managers tend to go straight back into a job if given the chance after being fired is a quality that sets him apart from most other coaches.
Potter backed to work his magic at Old Trafford
It might also be a characteristic that lands him the biggest job of his career to date after Sky Sports reported on the 14th of December that the Solihull-born manager was highly thought of by Ineos, the incoming minority shareholders at Manchester United.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe is the CEO of Ineos and once the purchase of his 25 per cent stake in the club is confirmed, it is expected that the 71-year-old will take a hands-on approach to football operations at Old Trafford.
In short, this might spell trouble for under-fire boss Erik ten Hag.
Indeed, if a decision is taken to sack Ten Hag then it is likely that the club will be influenced by Ratcliffe’s admiration of Potter when deciding who will replace the Dutchman. This is a prediction also shared by a host of bookmakers in the UK who are already offering fans the chance to bet on the next United boss and currently, the man on top of the list is Potter at odds of just 4/1.
In other words, the writing is very much on the wall for Ten Hag after a woeful run that culminated in the Red Devils limping out of all European competition after finishing bottom of their Champions League group.
Anyone keen on backing Potter to replace Ten Hag and become the next full-time boss at Man United can access this list of the best online bookmakers who are awarding welcome bonuses of up to £40 to anyone signing up. On this list, you’ll find the likes of Paddy Power and Betfair who are monitoring the situation at Old Trafford very closely.
Good things come to those who wait
Another reason for the red-hot speculation around Potter being installed as the next Red Devils boss is that Ratcliffe did try and appoint him at Nice in the past. The 71-year-old billionaire bought the Ligue 1 club in 2019. For whatever reason, a deal was unable to be reached but this did not diminish the high regard in which Ratcliffe keeps Potter in.
If Potter is offered the job at Old Trafford then it will serve as vindication for his decision to turn down a string of other managerial positions which included taking over at Leicester City, Leeds United, Stoke City, Lyon, and also becoming the next Swedish national team coach.
Similarly, if nothing comes of the long-held interest in him by Ineos then Potter won’t be short of suitors as he targets a return to management in 2024. They say good things come to those who wait and Potter will no doubt find that to be true over the next year.
