After making the shock decision to let Roberto De Zerbi leave this summer, Brighton are now considering bringing back a familiar face to replace the Italian.
According to The Guardian’s Jacob Steinberg, Brighton are considering a move for their former manager Graham Potter now that Kieran McKenna seems likely to stay at Ipswich Town.
The 38-year-old reportedly rejected a move to Chelsea and is set to sign a new deal with the Tractor Boys.
Potter left Brighton in September 2022 to join Chelsea after the club’s new owners sacked Thomas Tuchel.
The Blues signed Potter on a five-year deal. He was sacked months later on April 2, 2023, following a 2-0 loss at home to Aston Villa.
Ajax recently pursued Potter. He was also linked with the Nice job before the club eventually signed Francesco Farioli, Ajax’s current manager.
Potter has been identified as one of Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s favorites to replace Erik ten Hag at Manchester United if the club decide to part ways with the Dutchman.
Potter is also reportedly in the running to potentially take over the England job if Gareth Southgate steps down after this summer’s Euros.
Besides Potter, there aren’t many names left on Brighton’s supposed managerial shortlist. McKenna seemed the most likely to take over. Farioli reportedly was De Zerbi’s pick to be the next Brighton manager.
Brighton-born Russell Martin and former player Liam Rosenior were also linked. It’s unclear if the Seagulls have actually approached any of these candidates.
Malmo boss Henrik Rydstrom is the latest to be linked to the Brighton job. His name rose up the next Brighton manager odds lists this week. The 48-year-old made waves in 2023, winning the Allsvenskan by playing free-flowing football.
According to the man himself, his system is greatly inspired by Fluminense’s Fernando Diniz and his ideas of relationism over positional play. “It goes against everything that is logical,” Rydstrom said of his wildly-successful tactics.
No credible reports have linked Rydstrom to Brighton. However, it would be very on brand for the Seagulls to unexpectedly sign one of the best up-and-coming managers outside of Europe’s top five leagues right now.
