Graham Potter, the former manager of Ostersund, Swansea, and Brighton, has expressed his readiness to return to football management amid reports that he is being considered for the England job. This comes after Gareth Southgate resigned as manager following England’s 2-1 loss to Spain in the Euro 2024 final. Potter, along with Newcastle’s Eddie Howe and England Under-21 coach Lee Carsley, is seen as a potential successor to Southgate.
Potter’s last managerial role was at Chelsea, where he was sacked in April 2023. Since then, he has been taking a break from football and waiting for the right opportunity to come along. Speaking to Sky Sports, Potter said, “Now I’m in that good place where I’m happy to be ready and looking forward to the next challenge.” He added that his break allowed him to reflect and re-energize, and he feels more than prepared to make a comeback.
During his break, Potter took the time to explore other sports, teams, and places. He mentioned that the journey from where he started in football to where he is now has not been easy, involving moving to three different countries with his young family. However, he believes that this experience has shaped him as a manager and made him more resilient.
When asked directly about the England job while receiving an honorary doctorate from Leeds Beckett University, Potter declined to discuss it, stating that “today was not the day” for that conversation. However, he did praise Southgate for his accomplishments, saying that he had done a fantastic job and was highly respected in the football community.
Gareth Southgate, who had been England manager for almost eight years, led the men’s team to a World Cup quarter-final and semi-final, as well as back-to-back Euros finals. In his resignation statement, Southgate expressed that it was time for change and for a new chapter in English football.
The Football Association has already begun its search for a new manager and aims to appoint someone as soon as possible. As the speculation continues, Potter remains a strong contender for the position, given his previous managerial experience and his readiness to take on the challenge. Only time will tell who will ultimately succeed Southgate and lead the England men’s football team into the future.