Former Aston Villa and Birmingham City manager Alex McLeish feels that Brighton boss Graham Potter would be the ideal candidate to take over at Tottenham.
The Spurs are looking for a permanent boss this summer. Ryan Mason guided them through the remainder of the season after the firing of José Mourinho, but he is not a candidate for the position. Some names have been mentioned, with Fulham’s Scott Parker and former Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo believed to be in the frame.
However, trusted soccer journalist Fabrizio Romano tweeted last week that Nuno is not a candidate for the job. Belgian coach Roberto Martínez is another possibility despite being under contract until the summer of 2022.
He is said to be interested in returning to the Premier League, having coached Wigan and Everton in the English top flight. But it is Potter’s name that will not disappear even though the Seagulls boss apparently committing to the Amex Stadium outfit.
The 46-year-old guided Albion to 16th place on the table in 2020-2021, finishing 13 points above the drop zone. But it’s also the style his team has adopted that makes McLeish vibrate.
“I am certainly hearing the name of Graham Potter. I think he’s an excellent young coach, ”he told Football Insider. “The football that they have played in Brighton over the last few years has been quite exceptional. I was very impressed.
Potter checking all the correct boxes
Potter began his managerial career at the Swedish club Ostersund, earning accolades for his work at Jamtkraft Arena. He moved to Swansea in June 2018, winning 21 of 51 games.
The Solihull-born strategist then opted for the South Coast in May 2019, signing a four-year contract. It was always going to be difficult to keep them in England’s top division, but they finished 15th in their first year.
And they claimed the same number of points after 38 games this time. McLeish feels the former York City left-back has now earned the right to have a shot at the big time.
“I spoke to him and met with him a couple of times, but just by looking at the way his team plays, he has had the means to do it in Scandinavia,” he continued.
“He made them play a certain system, the pressure game, playing from behind. Okay, you have to choose the players who will enter the system, but we know that young players are growing up playing that way now.
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