Graham Potter has announced he is “ready” to return to football management amidst reports he is being considered for the England job.
Gareth Southgate resigned as England manager on Tuesday, less than 48 hours after the team’s 2-1 loss to Spain in the Euro 2024 final.
Potter, 49, is seen as a strong candidate to succeed Southgate, with other possible contenders including Newcastle’s Eddie Howe and England Under-21 coach Lee Carsley.
Potter has been out of management since being sacked by Chelsea in April 2023. The former manager of Ostersund, Swansea, and Brighton has said he has been in discussions with several clubs but is waiting for the “right opportunity.”
“Now I’m in that good place where I’m happy to be ready and looking forward to the next challenge,” Potter told Sky Sports.
“I’ve had a great break. The journey from where I started to where I finished doesn’t come for free. It involves moving three countries, with a young family, and all that comes with being a football manager.
“It was important for me to take a break, reflect and re-energise.
“It’s been a good time to look at other things, other sports, other teams and visit places.
“I feel really ready, really excited to be back when the right opportunity comes.”
Potter’s first managerial appointment came in 2008 at Leeds Carnegie.
Potter was asked directly about the England job when he received an honorary doctorate from Leeds Beckett University on Thursday.
He told BBC Radio Leeds “today was not the day” to discuss it but that Southgate had “done a fantastic job” and “there isn’t anyone in the country more respected in football than Gareth”.
Southgate was England manager for almost eight years. In that time he led the men’s team to a World Cup quarter-final and semi-final and back-to-back Euros finals.
Southgate said when he resigned: “It’s time for change, and for a new chapter.”
The Football Association has begun its search for a replacement and intends to have a new figure in place “as soon as possible”.
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