Graham Potter has admitted being involved in “conversations” after being rumoured to be a potential candidate to replace Erik ten Hag at Manchester United since the summer.
After keeping his job off the back of last season’s FA Cup win, Ten Heg has come under renewed scrutiny following a poor start to the new 2024/25 campaign. United have recorded just two wins from said games – with their latest defeat to Tottenham Hotspur raising fresh questions as to whether he is the right man to carry the underperforming club forward.
Having been out of work since being sacked by Chelsea 18 months ago, Potter’s name is one that has often been linked with United should Ten Hag get the boot.
He was rumoured to be one of the many candidates United spoke to when deciding where to go with Ten Hag’s future, although Potter has now claimed that a lot of speculation is “untrue”.
“I think what I have read so far in the media, a lot of it is untrue and false,” he said during Sky Sports Monday Night Football. “I think I am the only coach in world football that has been linked with Stoke City and Napoli in the same week, so I take what the media says with a pinch of salt.
“I have had lots of conversations with lots of people and I think, for the respect of everybody, it’s best that I keep those private.”
Potter was also asked to share his views on the currently vacant England job, after being named as one of the potential options to replace Gareth Southgate after he chose to resign this past summer.
“I think Gareth did a fantastic job and I’m sure [interim] Lee [Carsley] will in his time as long as that is, I’m sure he’ll do really well,” the former Brighton & Hove Albion boss continued.
“I think I’m open to anything, to be honest. I’m open to everything. I had 12 years on a fantastic journey from the fourth tier of Swedish football to the last eight of the Champions League, and I’d really like to spend the next 12 years in the same sort of position, developing players and teams, working with people and trying to make a difference.
“That’s the aim. Wherever that is, I’m open to anything.”
Ten Hag is expected to remain in charge of United for now, but will need to see a swift improvement in results and performances if he is to get long-term security at Old Trafford.
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