‘It’s flattering’: 43-year-old asked if he’ll become Brighton’s new manager

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Mainz coach Bo Svensson has played down speculation linking him with the Brighton and Hove Albion manager’s job even if he is ‘flattered’ to be mentioned as a possible Graham Potter replacement, speaking to Danish publication BT. 

They certainly know how to pick them, Mainz.

Jurgen Klopp and Thomas Tuchel have certainly gone one to rather big things since cutting their coaching teeth at the Bundesliga outfit. Kasper Hjulmand, meanwhile, took Denmark to the semi-finals of the European Championships last year.  

And Svensson, after turning Mainz from relegation favourites to a top-half team inside just over a year at the helm, is the latest MEWA Arena boss to attract admiring glances from outside of German soil.

Brighton, per The Athletic, have added the 43-year-old to their post-Potter wishlist. 

But while Svensson is aware of the speculation, making light of all the sudden interest in his position when contacted by BT, the former Denmark international insists that talks between himself and the Premier League outfit have not yet taken place. 

Who will replace Chelsea’s Graham Potter as Brighton and Hove Albion manager?

“There has been no contact between me and Brighton,” Svensson says.

“I probably don’t really need to comment on this either. It’s the media that has written something without any sources. I’ve just been sent the story.’

“It’s flattering if it’s true. Otherwise, I don’t have much to deal with right now. For me, it’s not concrete right now. But if there is (truth) in it, then I am flattered.

“I’m under contract until the end of next season and that’s what I’m dealing with right now. I signed that contract with the intention of fulfilling it.”

Brighton, sitting fourth in the Premier League after a 5-2 shellacking of Leicester City in Graham Potter’s final game in charge, are also eyeing up former Shakhtar Donetsk and Sassuolo tactician Roberto de Zerbi – one of the most admired young coaches in the game. 

Kjetil Knutsen, the mastermind behind Bodo/Glimt’s rise, is another candidate. 

Potter, meanwhile, will take charge of Chelsea for the first time tonight. The Blues host Red Bull Salzburg in the UEFA Champions League group-stages at Stamford Bridge.