Graham Porter Tops List Of Potential Replacements Should Ten Hag Be Fired

Femi Onasanya
By Femi Onasanya - Sports Reporter
3 Min Read

If Manchester United decides to split ways with Erik ten Hag, Graham Potter is anticipated to be near the top of their shortlist of candidates for manager once INEOS takes over football operations.

Nonetheless, it is evident that the Old Trafford management team has no intention of replacing the current one, and no approach has been made, not even in the slightest, to any possible replacement.

The Sun broke the story first, and according to Sky Sports News, if things don’t get better, Potter will be given consideration for the United team’s top position by the incoming INEOS executives.

Tuesday night saw United eliminated from Europe, three days after losing to Bournemouth 3-0 at home, which dropped them to sixth place in the Premier League.

There is still widespread agreement with the Dutchman’s long-term goals, even if United’s injury crisis is perceived as at least partially compensating for the team’s recent poor performance.

But United will visit Anfield on Sunday, where they were defeated 7-0 in the previous season, live on Sky Sports. A similarly crushing loss would put Ten Hag under even more strain.

The Premier League may need up to two months to formally approve Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s investment in United, but it is anticipated to be finalised in the next few days.

That will unavoidably lead to a protracted period of uncertainty, and it is difficult to see Ten Hag holding his position for the long run under the new arrangement if things do not get better.

Ratcliffe’s goals remain largely unclear, but Nice, another INEOS-owned team, has had five manager changes in the previous four years.

Potter was reportedly consulted by Ratcliffe and his group in the past, and they even gave him some thought when it came to managing the Ligue 1 team.

In preparation for the new arrangement, which will see INEOS assume complete control of football operations, Sir Dave Brailsford, the director of sport at INEOS, has been conducting a thorough audit at Old Trafford.

If Ten Hag is unable to rapidly improve results on the pitch, it is understood that Ratcliffe and Brailsford believe Potter is of the right calibre and mindset to handle the long-term rebuilding job at Old Trafford, despite his less than stellar tenure at Chelsea.

Potter’s promotion to United’s top position is still contingent upon a number of conditions being met. First and foremost, until INEOS completes their partial buy-out of the team, there won’t be a manager change.

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Femi is a sport enthusiast, writer and commentator. Passionate about Sports and physical therapy with a flair for writing.