Manchester United takeover delay puts Graham Potter’s return to management on hold

Manchester United’s proposed takeover prevents former Chelsea manager Graham Potter from taking over as manager, according to reports.

Potter was sacked at Stamford Bridge in April after just six months at the helm, which saw the Blues drop to mid-table in the Premier League.

2

The 48-year-old was linked with an immediate return to management but preferred to take a sabbatical from football before deciding on his next move.

Ligue 1 side Nice have emerged as favorites to land Potter this summer, but a delay in appointing new owners Manchester United is preventing a deal from being struck.

Nice INEOS owners, led by Sir Jim Ratcliffe, are concerned about the offer to buy the Red Devils, according to GFFN.

However, Nice still see Potter as the ideal candidate to succeed the club which has been without a permanent manager since January.

The other managers as part of the Cote d’Azur club are believed to be Brighton’s Roberto De Zerbi and Lens manager Franck Haise who guided the less-fancy French side to the Champions League.

Dragging either manager away from their respective roles will be a difficult task, even for Nice’s ambitious project.

Potter is set to return to management next season and with a host of suitors likely to be available, the former Brighton boss is unlikely to wait for Nice to step up their move for him.

Nice have already had talks with Potter who is happy to work with the backroom staff created by sporting director Florent Ghisolfi.