Former Chelsea and Brighton boss Graham Potter ‘needs another opportunity’ and could be a good fit at Premier League strugglers Leicester City.
That is according to Ray Parlour; the Arsenal legend arguing that Potter’s reputation does not deserve to be permanently stained by a dismal spell at a Chelsea side who’s problems go far deeper than the dugout.
Potter, it should not be forgotten, laid the foundations which Roberto de Zerbi is building upon at The Amex; instilling a pretty, possession-based brand of football which had Pep Guardiola fawning over the ‘beyond exceptional’ job he did on the South Coast.
“Absolutely,” Parlour tells talkSPORT (28 April, 9.50am) when asked if Leicester should consider offering Potter a fresh start in the Premier League.
“I think he needs another opportunity. So many players to deal with, it is always going to be a tough job at Chelsea. Look at Frank Lampard (five games, five defeats). He’s gone in there and he can’t get results either!
“Maybe its not just the manager’s fault.”
Will Leicester City hire former Chelsea manager Graham Potter?
Leicester, according to The Athletic, hoped to appoint Potter after giving Brendan Rodgers the boot at the start of April. The one-time Swansea City boss was reluctant to throw himself straight back in at the deep end, however. The Foxes instead hiring Dean Smith on a short-term deal until the summer.
Leicester could still return for their number one target when the current campaign comes to an end. Although their hopes may depend on whether Smith can stave off the very real threat of relegation.
“Potter has definitely got to get another opportunity,” Parlour adds. “And that could be a good fit for him, Leicester.”
Jamie Vardy’s late goal saw the Foxes snatch a point off Leeds United on Tuesday night. They remain in the relegation zone, however, sandwiched between Sean Dyche’s Everton and Steve Cooper’s Nottingham Forest.
Leicester also held talks with ex-Leeds United boss Jesse Marsch before turning to Smith.
“His jobs (at Leipzig and Leeds) were seen as failures,” former USA international Herculez Gomez says of the Wisconsin-born tactician. “Now, the next job could be strike three in the eyes of many. So you have to be very particular in the risk you take.”
“(Relegation with Leicester) would be another stain on your resume,” Gomez adds. “And if you can’t have the opportunity to bring this team back, what are you doing there?
“Why put yourself in a position where you cannot give yourself the best possible opportunity to be at a long-term contract. You know that you’re probably going to be relegated.
“So it’s a smart move by Jesse. I think he wants to make sure the next opportunity is the right opportunity.”
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