The cat is out of the bag that Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos are likely hatching a plot to snare former Chelsea boss Graham Potter should they decide to dispense with Erik ten Hag’s services at Manchester United.
Potter apparently could be approached by Ratcliffe and Ineos should they decide the Dutchman is surplus to their needs at Old Trafford. This has come after months of speculation over a potential takeover that Ratcliffe is now on the verge of purchasing a minority 25% stake in the club. The £1.4billion deal, which will need to be ratified at a board meeting, would give the petrochemicals billionaire control of sporting operations.
The expectation is that Ratcliffe will overhaul the club’s support staff once he is fully insitu at Old Trafford, with the search for a new sporting director believed to be in progress. While previous reports had indicated Ten Hag’s job is not in jeopardy, the situation seems to be a bit quirky now as a potential successor to the Dutchman has now apparently been touted, with a new report from The Sun claiming that Potter is highly thought of by Ratcliffe’s right-hand man, Sir David Brailsford, who could be calling the shots if a change is unavoidable in the dugout.
Potter had also been the subject of interest from Ratcliffe’s other club, OGC Nice, earlier in the year, with Foot Mercato reporting back in May that the former Chelsea Blues boss had met with Ineos privately and had welcomed the idea of working with them, although an agreement failed to materialise.
While Potter’s reputation remains intact despite his turbulent six month stint at Stamford Bridge, Saturday night’s 2-1 win at Bramall Lane can only provide Ten Hag with some bried welcome respite at best, as even the former Ajax boss himself admitted that United were not at their best against the Premier League’s bottom side.