Graham Potter responds to Manchester United and England manager links

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Graham Potter has expressed that he is "open to all possibilities" while contemplating his future in management, especially in light of rumors connecting him to positions at Manchester United and the England national team.

It's been nearly a year and a half since Chelsea let go of Potter after a brief tenure, and the ex-Brighton manager is thinking about making a comeback in football.

Manchester United's coach Erik ten Hag is facing mounting pressure due to the team's disappointing performance at the beginning of the season. Meanwhile, Potter has an established rapport with sporting director Dan Ashworth, stemming from their time working together at Brighton.

Ten Hag will continue to lead the team during their upcoming matches against Porto and Aston Villa this week. Meanwhile, Potter mentioned that he prefers to keep discussions about a potential new position to himself.

During an appearance on Monday Night Football on Sky Sports, the 49-year-old stated that he doesn’t view managing United as an “impossible” challenge. He also referred to the role of England manager as a “fantastic opportunity” for someone from England.

Interim manager Lee Carsley will continue to lead the England team during their Nations League matches while the FA looks for a long-term replacement for Gareth Southgate.

Potter addressed the rumors surrounding his potential association with the Manchester United position and his relationship with Ashworth, who was appointed as the club's sporting director over the summer. He stated that much of the speculation was "not accurate."

"I’m the only coach in global football who has been connected to both Stoke City and Napoli in the same week," he remarked.

Much of what I've seen in the news is inaccurate and misleading. I tend to approach media reports with skepticism. I've had numerous discussions with various individuals, and out of respect for everyone involved, I believe it's best to keep those conversations confidential.

Following the review of Manchester United's 3-0 loss to Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, a result that put Ten Hag's job on the line during a crucial week, Potter talked about the difficulties of overseeing a major club undergoing changes.

Potter was dismissed by Chelsea after securing only 12 victories out of 31 matches while at the helm at Stamford Bridge, leaving the team positioned in the lower half of the Premier League standings. He mentioned that Chelsea was experiencing a period of "uncertainty" when he took over.

"I believe everything is achievable, but finding success in jobs can be tough," he stated. "That's just how it is in the Premier League. If you're a major team like Manchester United and you're not finishing in the top six, you can expect to face a lot of criticism."

At times, it’s important to focus on how a team is playing rather than just the scores. They’ve squandered numerous opportunities, and teams often experience phases where their expected goals (xG) don’t match up with their actual performance. Then, when they have an off day, things can take a turn for the worse, and that’s the situation they’re currently dealing with.

The goal is to gain some perspective, to make sense of what has occurred, and to communicate in a clear and reasonable manner.

"Following a match, emotions run high for everyone involved because football is deeply tied to our feelings. Fans are often upset; they seek explanations and someone to hold accountable. At times, that person is the manager. We all make errors and we're not flawless."

"However, this comes with the territory; it’s what we agree to when we take on this role, and I'm certain Erik would echo that sentiment. It's the reality he faces at Manchester United. When the team doesn’t win, performs poorly, or suffers a loss, there is bound to be criticism."

Anyone who lost that match probably felt a lot of stress. Not too long ago, there were discussions about Ange [Postecoglou] lacking tactics or a backup strategy. Now, he’s on a winning streak of four games, and everything seems to be going well for him.

You should aim to achieve satisfactory outcomes, then focus on collaborating with your team. Stay committed to your vision and do your utmost to advance the club.

England’s Under-21 coach, Carsley, will continue in his temporary role during the upcoming international break in October. Among the leading English candidates to take over from Southgate permanently are Potter and Eddie Howe.

"As an Englishman, it's certainly a wonderful role, but I’m on board with whatever the FA chooses and whoever the coach may be," stated Potter, mentioning that he would think about a role in international football. "I believe Gareth [Southgate] has done an excellent job, and I’m confident that Lee [Carsley] will also perform admirably, no matter how long he is in the position."

Honestly, I’m open to all possibilities. My journey over the past 12 years has been incredible, moving from the fourth division of Swedish football to reaching the quarter-finals of the Champions League. I would love to spend the next 12 years in a similar role, focusing on player and team development, collaborating with others, and making a positive impact. No matter where that takes me, I’m ready for any opportunity that comes my way.