Recent reports suggest that Manchester United has Graham Potter on its shortlist of potential candidates for the managerial role once the INEOS takeover of football operations is complete, but only if the team decides to part ways with current manager Erik ten Hag.
It is believed that INEOS executives will consider Potter for the top job at United if the team’s current results do not improve.
Despite these rumours, the current hierarchy at Old Trafford has not shown any plans to change the manager, and there has been no approach, even loosely, to any potential successor.
It is thought that United’s injury crisis is seen as at least some mitigation for the team’s recent poor results, and there is still broad alignment with Ten Hag’s long-term vision.
However, the team’s recent exit from Europe and defeat to Bournemouth, which leaves them sixth in the Premier League, has put additional pressure on the Dutchman.
The story was first reported by The Sun, and Sky Sports News understands that Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s investment in United is expected to be concluded in the coming days.
However, it will take up to two months for the deal to be formally ratified by the Premier League, which means a prolonged period of uncertainty.
If results do not improve, it is hard to see Ten Hag surviving in his position long-term within the new structure.
Much is unknown about Ratcliffe’s intentions for the team, but at Nice, another club owned by INEOS, there have been five managerial changes in the last four years.
Ratcliffe and his team have reportedly met with Potter in the past and even considered him for the manager’s role at the Ligue 1 club.
Sir Dave Brailsford, the INEOS director of sport, has been carrying out a full audit at Old Trafford in readiness for the new structure, which will see INEOS take total control of football operations.
Brailsford’s priority is said to be to improve the operational structure of the football department, rather than focus solely on the manager.
There are question marks over whether United could afford to change the whole coaching team at the club and remain within the Premier League’s profitability and sustainability rules.
Nevertheless, Brailsford, who is the former head of British Cycling, has built his career around a scientific approach to elite sport.
It is thought that this is a key factor in his and Ratcliffe’s admiration of Potter, who, alongside his coaching qualifications, also has a master’s degree in leadership and emotional intelligence.
Potter’s failure at Chelsea, where he lasted less than a season, is still a concern for some, but Ratcliffe and Brailsford reportedly see beyond that and believe that Potter is of the right calibre and mindset to carry out the long-term rebuilding job at Old Trafford if Ten Hag cannot improve results on the field quickly.
However, there are still many factors that need to align for Potter to be given the top job at United.
Firstly and most importantly, there will be no change of manager before INEOS completes its partial buy-out of the club.
Secondly, Ratcliffe and his team will have to be sure that removing Ten Hag is the best course of action.
Finally, Potter would have to convince the new bosses that he is the best option to lead the team going forward.
Overall, it is clear that INEOS understands the difficult circumstances that surrounded Potter’s time at Stamford Bridge, and it is equally obvious that they share his data-driven approach to elite sport.
They also value his academic approach to coaching, which brought so much success at Ostersunds, Swansea, and Brighton.
