18 May 2023 , 10:45
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Graham Potter is interested in the OGC Nice vacancy after holding talks with the club owned by Ineos chief Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
Potter, 47, was sacked by Chelsea back in April just six months after he was lured to Stamford Bridge from Brighton to succeed Thomas Tuchel. A string of unacceptable results led to Potter's dismissal, but his stock remains high.
After turning down the opportunity to make an instant return to the Premier League with Leicester, Potter has been touted as a potential target for a number of other English clubs once the current domestic campaign ends this month. However, it now appears as though the former Ostersund chief could be set to manage abroad again.
It was revealed earlier this week that Ratcliffe - who is currently in talks to purchase Manchester United - and Ineos director of sport Dave Brailsford were keen to talk to Potter about the head coach vacancy at Nice, the Ligue 1 club that Ratcliffe also owns.
Foot Mercato have now outlined that Potter's representatives have already held two private meetings with Nice officials and that the former Chelsea boss is 'interested' in the role.
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Nice parted company with Lucien Favre at the turn of the year after being embarrassed by third-tier outfit Le Puy-en-Velay in the Coupe de France. Didier Digard has been in charge on an interim basis since Favre's departure.
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Sir Jim Ratcliffe owns Nice and is also hoping to acquire Manchester United (PA)Landing Potter would be regarded as a major coup for Nice, who are currently 10th in Ligue 1. Potter previously enjoyed success overseas during a seven-year stint in Sweden with Ostersund.
Ratcliffe, meanwhile, is still hopeful that he will be able withstand late pressure from Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani following the latest twist in the Manchester United takeover saga.
Ratcliffe and Sheikh Jassim both went public with their interest in the club shortly after the Glazer family confirmed back in November that they were open to offers. And the duo have both lodged three separate bids in each round of the taxing process, which is believed to be drawing to an overdue conclusion.
Reports indicated that Ratcliffe was in pole position to acquire United after tabling a proposal which would allow Avram and Joel Glazer the opportunity to retain a small stake in the club.
However, Sheikh Jassim went directly to the Glazers this week to lodge a fourth bid at the eleventh hour in an attempt to pip Ratcliffe to a deal.
While it remains to be seen if the Glazers will be swayed by Sheikh Jassim's latest proposal and change their decision, it is still expected that a preferred bidder will be announced imminently.