Graham Potter | turns down Ajax job

UTAretro

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I think you're doing okay but you've had a below par couple of months in the league I'd say with only 2 wins in your last 10 games and I'd argue that's showing signs of struggling!

Started the season excellently so it's probably the European football catching up with you a bit but we will have to see how it pans out further in the season.

Either way, Potter started last season with you well too and the revisionism of him not being a good manager or not being one of the most sought after on here is a bit weird.
Not just on here, but amongst Brighton fans too. Many are angry about the manner in which he left - taking most of the staff with him, including many who weren’t “his guys” and were actually here long before he arrived. Plus with it coming so soon after losing Cucurella to them (he forced a move), as well as our Head of Recruitment and several of our scouting team. In under 8 months we lost our manager, our POTS and almost our entire backroom staff to Chelsea.

He also left just a few games into the season, leaving a long gap to the next transfer window and with essentially no warning. It was frustrating after the start we made.

Potter did well for us, took us from being perennial strugglers in a low block under Hughton, to playing an expansive style and consistent (but slow) improvement in style and results.

Revisionism is inevitable because we essentially upgraded due to excellent succession planning from our owner and his team
 
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Zed 101

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When I heard Potter tipped to take over at Utd, my immediate thought was Brian Potter, forgot all about Graham, we are about Phoenix Nights level at the moment
 

RedSky

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If he comes here's an interim then I'm fine with that. A temporary short term option so we can get our house in order ready for the Summer when we evaluate our options. But it shouldn't be a full time gig, dangle the option of it if he does well enough.
 

KeanoMagicHat

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Worth remembering it was fan support that brought Ten Hag here expecting total football so the fans don’t always know what’s best.
 

Nogho

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Results are what brings smiles. Not jovial managers. Ange wasn't looking cheery in the middle of that bad run Spurs had.
Are you sure about that? I understand it's a results-driven industry, but wouldn't it be nice to genuinely like someone? Do you support United solely because the odds of them winning are higher than other teams? Can't you appreciate the culture or the mentality of a club? Isn't the manager the face of that, then?
 

UTAretro

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As an Albion fan, here is my assessment of Graham Potter, for anyone interested. I saw practically every one his games under us live, home and away, and will try and be impartial!

At least the Albion:

He favoured a back three, with attacking wingbacks. The wingbacks would be generally hugging the touchline on the half-way line, leaving the three centre-backs to split. The LCB would effectively be a narrow second left back, the RCB as a narrow right back, and one in the centre.

Defensively, the wide centre-backs on the left and right are expected to cover long balls into the channels, the central CB to man mark a lone striker, and the CDM to drop alongside him and act on the cover.

He likes to control possession, and work towards the wingbacks overloading the opposition flanks. His style is intricate, prioritising quality over quantity of chances. At times, it can be over-intricate and a little frustrating, as players often look for one pass too many in very dangerous areas. When playing well, it leads to some very beautiful attacking play and wonderful team goals.

Under Potter’s years in charge, we consistently had very barren spells in front of goal, but a lack of quality upfront was certainly a part of that. Defensively we were always solid.

A huge amount of pace and tenacity is needed at CDM, and from the two wide centre-backs. They are required to do an awful lot of work managing runs in behind, which is how we conceded a lot of goals.

I think you could do a lot worse, but I’m really not sure he is an upgrade on Ten Hag.
 

Withnail

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Perhaps you're correct, but it would be delightful to have a manager who could bring some smiles back. Someone less dreary, someone capable of lifting the mood and making United likable once more.

Honestly, the somber and hollow appearance of EtH in interviews gives off the impression that everything is already lost. The poor chap looks rather unwell.
Good performances and winning games are what brings smiles back. A chirpy British chappy isn't going to make a blind bit of difference to anyone if the team aren't performing. If anything, someone like that would get ripped apart for smiling when the team had just lost an important game.

This is rather bizarre. Is this a serious post?
 

spiriticon

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This honestly gives me Mason Mount-levels of trepidation. You know it's a black hole, but you're going to try going in anyway.

Godspeed.
 

gajender

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No issues with Potter at all but I would want Club to rather go for someone younger who are at the start of their management journey .
 

Crimson King

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I think it's bollocks, but if it's not then I imagine he'd be on the replacement list purely because he's available and won't cost anything to bring in.
 

Sassy Colin

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This is a joke, right, right?

feck me, why would we want to appoint a failed manager? We've appointed successful managers and that hasn't worked out, why would a failed one be better.

It would be Moyes part 2.

I hardly think Ratcliff is that stupid.
 

Plant0x84

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I’m desperately hoping this is just the media adding up 1+1 and coming up with 73 due to Potters reported interview regarding Nice back in the spring.
Does seem to be rather too much smoke for there to be no fire here though :nervous:
 

Nogho

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Good performances and winning games are what brings smiles back. A chirpy British chappy isn't going to make a blind bit of difference to anyone if the team aren't performing. If anything, someone like that would get ripped apart for smiling when the team had just lost an important game.

This is rather bizarre. Is this a serious post?
Yes, take Klopp as an example. He smiles, shares his emotions, and is likable. But he still excels as a manager, and the players seem to like him as well.

Have you seen a single player run up to Ten Hag when they scored? Sure, he danced at Wembley, but that's about it. Show some emotions, give a little. Look at Sir Alex. Sometimes he ranted for fifteen minutes and was furious at the press conferences; sometimes, he joked with the journalists. Occasionally, he was halfway onto the pitch screaming.

EtH just stands there during games, and at the press conferences, it's just "eh" or "no, I don't think so, we are on the right way," etc. It could be that he isn't able to express what he thinks because of the language, but I think his personality is just the quiet and strict one. That doesn't untangle any knots in a squad where things aren't working out, does it?
 

redshaw

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I think this is what we'd be seeing, of course if results do go really bad he would get the sack but I see us appointing Potter and letting go of senior players and trying to swap out other players for a different profile. They will give a new vision and structure 1.5-2 years. They will see Potter coming in mid season as a head start if that happens.

We desperately need a new younger more technical midfield.
 

bstb3

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How on earth can they be sure on an appointment when they don't even have anyone in the roles needed to really understand the problems?

Whatever we can see from the outside, even if they have a little more inside knowledge, pales into insignificance compared to what can be learned by being there day to day, talking to everyone and assessing the situation properly. Get Blanc and a useful DOF in place. Give them time to assess, make a plan and a strategy that suits the club, the fans and then look at the squads and coaching staff and how they measure to that and change / plan to change accordingly. That would be sensible.

Or come in with a half baked idea, a mate who looked good for Nice and is simply available, change things and spaff away the money it costs (on top of the hit from exiting Europe) and then have to do the same again in a year. No real idea if how he wants to play fits the club, the players or the fans. No real idea how much change would be needed at senior or junior squad levels. Just shoot first then worry. That would be stupid.

I get the urgency if things really go bad in terms of the results and we really steam down the table [but would Potter even change that given what happened at Chelsea anyway)?, Otherwise for gods sake please lets do this carefully and with a proper plan for once. Otherwise whatever benefit Ineos and Jim might bring will get wasted almost immediately on the altar of impatience.
 

Oranges038

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May as well hire Stephen Kenny for what it's worth.
Perhaps you're correct, but it would be delightful to have a manager who could bring some smiles back. Someone less dreary, someone capable of lifting the mood and making United likable once more.

Honestly, the somber and hollow appearance of EtH in interviews gives off the impression that everything is already lost. The poor chap looks rather unwell.
Ole used to smile a lot.
 
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Potter was brilliant at Brighton, really took them from survival football, to modern, proactive, technical football. De Zerbi has taken them to new levels on the pitch (dominating the ball vs Man City for example), but Potters work was the foundation.

Chelsea was a disaster, but he was dealing with a whole new team that had never played together.

He’s not my first choice but I wouldn’t be too mad at giving him another shot at producing the modern football we saw at Brighton.

Thoughts? @The Boy
 

LawCharltonBest

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I don't want this to happen, therefore I believe it unequivocally

Seriously though, I don’t get it. What could he have possibly done to convince anyone that he’s the man?

Thoughts? @The Boy
 

Bubba123

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Would any of the current top teams even consider Potter if they had to appoint a new manager today? Liverpool, City, Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern, PSG, ...?
 

Nogho

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Good performances and winning games are what brings smiles back. A chirpy British chappy isn't going to make a blind bit of difference to anyone if the team aren't performing. If anything, someone like that would get ripped apart for smiling when the team had just lost an important game.

This is rather bizarre. Is this a serious post?
This as an example. Read the room.
Sir Alex Ferguson Was Not Nice To Stupid Journalists (youtube.com)

No we banned them...
Sir Alex Ferguson: “You talk longer than my f**ckin wife.” (youtube.com)

May as well hire Stephen Kenny for what it's worth.


Ole used to smile a lot.
I liked Ole, felt sorry for him.
 

Withnail

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Yes, take Klopp as an example. He smiles, shares his emotions, and is likable. But he still excels as a manager, and the players seem to like him as well.

Have you seen a single player run up to Ten Hag when they scored? Sure, he danced at Wembley, but that's about it. Show some emotions, give a little. Look at Sir Alex. Sometimes he ranted for fifteen minutes and was furious at the press conferences; sometimes, he joked with the journalists. Occasionally, he was halfway onto the pitch screaming.

EtH just stands there during games, and at the press conferences, it's just "eh" or "no, I don't think so, we are on the right way," etc. It could be that he isn't able to express what he thinks because of the language, but I think his personality is just the quiet and strict one. That doesn't untangle any knots in a squad where things aren't working out, does it?
Klopp is likeable? I've heard it all now. He's the sorest loser and very very touchy. He had a go at a pundit or presenter recently for half-jokingly referring to early kick offs after European mid-weeks.

When things were going well last year Ten Hag was fine and was happy in interviews and there wouldn't have been many complaints. I don't really know where you're going with this to be honest. You initially said you wanted a British manager for some kind of vibe reasons and now Klopp has the kind of personality you want.

To be honest I could not care less about any of the things that seem important to you with regards to the manager. When the team are winning and playing exciting football I'm happy with the manager, it really is that simple for me.
 

Nogho

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Klopp is likeable? I've heard it all now. He's the sorest loser and very very touchy. He had a go at a pundit or presenter recently for half-jokingly referring to early kick offs after European mid-weeks.

When things were going well last year Ten Hag was fine and was happy in interviews and there wouldn't have been many complaints. I don't really know where you're going with this to be honest. You initially said you wanted a British manager for some kind of vibe reasons and now Klopp has the kind of personality you want.

To be honest I could not care less about any of the things that seem important to you with regards to the manager. When the team are winning and playing exciting football I'm happy with the manager, it really is that simple for me.
Okey then :)
 

TrebleChamp99

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As an Albion fan, here is my assessment of Graham Potter, for anyone interested. I saw practically every one his games under us live, home and away, and will try and be impartial!

At least the Albion:

He favoured a back three, with attacking wingbacks. The wingbacks would be generally hugging the touchline on the half-way line, leaving the three centre-backs to split. The LCB would effectively be a narrow second left back, the RCB as a narrow right back, and one in the centre.

Defensively, the wide centre-backs on the left and right are expected to cover long balls into the channels, the central CB to man mark a lone striker, and the CDM to drop alongside him and act on the cover.

He likes to control possession, and work towards the wingbacks overloading the opposition flanks. His style is intricate, prioritising quality over quantity of chances. At times, it can be over-intricate and a little frustrating, as players often look for one pass too many in very dangerous areas. When playing well, it leads to some very beautiful attacking play and wonderful team goals.

Under Potter’s years in charge, we consistently had very barren spells in front of goal, but a lack of quality upfront was certainly a part of that. Defensively we were always solid.

A huge amount of pace and tenacity is needed at CDM, and from the two wide centre-backs. They are required to do an awful lot of work managing runs in behind, which is how we conceded a lot of goals.

I think you could do a lot worse, but I’m really not sure he is an upgrade on Ten Hag.
Fantastic post and thanks for the detail, one things stands out to me.

You can identify how you play, right now United has no style of play.

Hit the channels and bounce it off the target man.