Graham Potter drops biggest hint yet on next job after Chelsea sacking

Former Chelsea boss Graham Potter says he would be open to the England job but is keen not to rule out a potential return to club football. The 49-year-old is on the hunt for his first job since being dismissed from his position at Stamford Bridge 17 months ago.

Potter was shown the door by Todd Boehly just seven months into his five-year deal after winning 12 of his 31 matches in charge. Despite being linked with a number of jobs since, including OGC Nice and Manchester United, he has refrained from taking up a new role.

Appearing on Sky Sports, Potter admitted that he has “had lots of conversations with lots of people” but refused to give further details on who had been in contact. “What I have read so far in the media, a lot of it is untrue and false," he clarified.

It is thought that Chelsea agreed to pay Potter his contracted wage for the 18 months after his sacking in a compensation settlement. And with that reported agreement nearing its end, links with the England job have surfaced following the resignation of Gareth Southgate this summer.

Asked if the Three Lions role was a position he is interested in, Potter joked on Sky Sports: “I think it's time for a commercial break isn't it!” He added: “As an Englishman, of course it’s a fantastic job.

“I’m supportive of whatever the FA decides to do, whoever the coach is. I think Gareth did a fantastic job and I’m sure Lee [Carlsey, interim boss] will in his time, however long that is, do really well.”

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Quizzed further on whether he would prefer club football to the international realm, Potter said: “I’m open to anything. I had 12 years on a fantastic journey from the fourth tier of Swedish football to the last-eight of the Champions League.

“I’d really like to spend the next 12 years in the same position [of] developing players and teams, working with people trying to make a difference, that’s the aim. Wherever that is, I'm open to anything.”