Graham Potter | turns down Ajax job

Selbourne

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If we sack Ten Hag then I would be happy if we got him in charge. Aside from Chelsea, which I thought was a lose lose situation to begin with given the shenanigans at the time, he has massively achieved with his previous clubs. Still boggles my mind to this day how Brighton fans booed him, football fans can be an entitled bunch and I'm going to await the day where they'll want De Zerbi gone too after taken charge of a Potter's fun flowing team to begin with.
 

Kaos

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Can someone explain to me the rationale behind going for Potter? Someone who failed miserably when he made the step up to a bigger club, much like our own Moyesy. Is this some weird Brexit FC manoeuvring from Jim or is there something I'm missing?
 

UTAretro

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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.
Thanks for reading!
 

TrebleChamp99

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Can someone explain to me the rationale behind going for Potter? Someone who failed miserably when he made the step up to a bigger club, much like our own Moyesy. Is this some weird Brexit FC manoeuvring from Jim or is there something I'm missing?
Have you seen Chelsea? its a mess over there, far worse than us.
 

Nogho

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What does this prove in relation to anything you've said so far? You've lost me
I simply liked the idea of having a manager who isn't overly uncharismatic, someone with a sense of humor. What's wrong with that?

I followed Potter when he was coaching Östersund here in Sweden, and I liked him as a person, as well as for his football style. Nothing more, nothing less.
 

always_hoping

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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.
Other than Liverpool heads I can't imagine many would label Klopp as likeable.
 

Giggsyking

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This club never learns. We deserve everything bad happening to us with these stupid choices.
 

Plant0x84

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Have you seen Chelsea? its a mess over there, far worse than us.
I don’t think so. They have a decent squad of quality players, even if most of them are injured. They have an owner who cares about the football even if he is hashing things horribly, and they have a commitment to invest in the clubs infrastructure and long term future that we currently don’t have.
 

mancsarered

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A highly-scrutinized Premier League failure who will bring immense pressure from the get-go. Hard pass.
 

#07

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The United dressing room has done for the likes of Mourinho. A bloke who's won the treble. You think they're going to look at Potter and think: 'Wow, yeah. Let's get on board with him!' Do Casemiro and Varane even know who Potter is?

Ten Hag isn't turning out exactly as I'd hoped, and I'm baffled by some of his decisions lately -- especially with regards to McTominay. However, to go from Ten Hag to Potter would be crazy.

Even if every player in the squad did give Potter a chance, we don't have the ball playing defenders or wing backs needed for his system, and the second things go wrong all belief would fly out the window. It'll be David Moyes all over again.

If we sack Ten Hag, United need to find a big name coach. Someone who can command the respect of the current squad, while the new Director of Football reshapes it to fit a long term plan.

I think throwing Potter into this dressing room would be like throwing a pork chop into a Piranha pool.
 

TrebleChamp99

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I don’t think so. They have a decent squad of quality players, even if most of them are injured. They have an owner who cares about the football even if he is hashing things horribly, and they have a commitment to invest in the clubs infrastructure and long term future that we currently don’t have.
We will have it with INEOS, they are pledging 2bln on top of the buyout price.
But they are absolutely worse off than us, the last time we played them was testament to that and league position.
 

horsechoker

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The United dressing room has done for the likes of Mourinho. A bloke who's won the treble. You think they're going to look at Potter and think: 'Wow, yeah. Let's get on board with him!' Do Casemiro and Varane even know who Potter is?

Ten Hag isn't turning out exactly as I'd hoped, and I'm baffled by some of his decisions lately -- especially with regards to McTominay. However, if you go from Ten Hag to Potter would be crazy.

Even if every player in the squad did give Potter a chance, we don't have the ball playing defenders or wing backs needed for his system, and the second things go wrong all belief would fly out the window. It'll be David Moyes all over again.

If we sack Ten Hag, United need to find a big name coach. Someone who can command the respect of the current squad, while the new Director of Football reshapes it to fit a long term plan.

I think throwing Potter into this dressing room would be like throwing a pork chop into a Piranha pool.
I'd get rid of the "we don't who he is" types, especially ones who are the wrong side of 30 and injury prone
 

Hughes35

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I think Potter seems a nice guy. Really don't think he would succeed here with the spotlight on him. Would be a disaster IMO.
 

RedRonaldo

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Seriously, rather we stick with ETH for now until better candidates become available.
 

DJ_21

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Have you seen Chelsea? its a mess over there, far worse than us.
Not much worse than us. If ETH can’t get a tune out of this squad then what makes you think Potter can? He’ll just be another Ole. Might put smiles on people’s faces but he’ll be a soft touch and they’ll have no respect for him.
 

pocco

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I don’t think so. They have a decent squad of quality players, even if most of them are injured. They have an owner who cares about the football even if he is hashing things horribly, and they have a commitment to invest in the clubs infrastructure and long term future that we currently don’t have.
Last season they were comfortably worse. Some of their signings may come good in time but they're still unbalanced now.
 

Jed I. Knight

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I like him.

If Ratcliffe manages to establish a sensible structure for Potter to operate in, I think we could take big steps forward.

Will of course fail miserably in the current setup.
 

#07

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I'd get rid of the "we don't who he is" types, especially ones who are the wrong side of 30 and injury prone
I am sure that's the plan but it seems to be the plan every summer. If they don't want to go to the clubs that might want them, then what..?
 

redshaw

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Can someone explain to me the rationale behind going for Potter? Someone who failed miserably when he made the step up to a bigger club, much like our own Moyesy. Is this some weird Brexit FC manoeuvring from Jim or is there something I'm missing?
Getting the fundamentals in place of possession based game, a means to an end.

ETH could've done this if instructed and helped by a better structure to help him get De Jong alternatives and not rely on his limited knowledge of the player market.
 

Mwooyo

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Still do not rate him as an elite manager and I would be happy to be proved wrong. Would rather go with de zerbi as he has an even more definitive style of play
 

WeePat

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Can someone explain to me the rationale behind going for Potter? Someone who failed miserably when he made the step up to a bigger club, much like our own Moyesy. Is this some weird Brexit FC manoeuvring from Jim or is there something I'm missing?
We sacked him and 6 months later we’re still struggling in midtable despite supposedly fixing the thing everyone said was holding the team back last season (too many players, bloated squad, too much deadwood, no preseason). If anything, Chelsea’s continued struggles should vindicate Potter a little.
 

Crimson King

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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.
I agree with this. I saw a lot of Potter's Brighton and they played some really neat stuff at times, even dominated some big sides, especially in terms of possession. This was impressive considering the budget they worked within, but they often looked so toothless in attack, and a lot of the time it could just be very boring to watch.

Now, a lot of that could be put down a lack of talent in attacking positions, as you pointed out. There's obviously some truth to that, but I also think there's a few players who look completely reinvented under RDZ, like Solly March. This makes me think that, actually, there are just some severe limitations to Potter's approach to coaching a football team.

Also, people forget that Brighton were more often than not in, or on the fringes of, the relegation survival battle whilst he was their manager. He arguably did a great job keeping them up, considering where they came from and where they are now, but this does make me wonder whether he'll be good enough for a top club. His level is probably a mid prem team who are happy to be solid and hard to beat, with occasional flashes where they outplay a much bigger/better side for a famous victory.

The only reason I can think we would appoint him is because he's currently available and would take little convincing to take the job, should they pull the trigger on EtH.
 

#07

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Honest to God. No word of a lie. I'd take Carrick over Potter with the current playing squad. Simply because some of them will look at Carrick's playing career and go: 'He was a top player, he might have something to say to me.'

If you could guarantee that we will severely cull the squad and move out 8,9,10 players, I would be open to risking it on a relative novice like Potter. However, we are notoriously rubbish at selling players: We pay players so much that very few of them are seen as good options by other clubs, nor do those players necessarily wanna leave for lower pay elsewhere.

In these circumstances its hard to think anyone but a world renowned coach could achieve anything at Man Utd.
 

horsechoker

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Honest to God. No word of a lie. I'd take Carrick over Potter with the current playing squad. Simply because some of them will look at Carrick's playing career and go: 'He was a top player, he might have something to say to me.'

If you could guarantee that we will severely cull the squad and move out 8,9,10 players, I would be open to risking it on a relative novice like Potter. However, we are notoriously rubbish at selling players: We pay players so much that very few of them are seen as good options by other clubs, nor do those players necessarily wanna leave for lower pay elsewhere.

In these circumstances its hard to think anyone but a world renowned coach could achieve anything at Man Utd.
I see like a mate, I know he's never met me or knows my name but he's a friend and you don't let your friends do something that would hurt them so I'd rather he avoids us for a while and focuses on his career.
 

Dazzmondo

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I think Potter's a good manager, specifically in regards to tactics. However, the fear I had was that he might struggle to gain the respect of better players. His time at Chelsea just made me think those fears were valid. I don't think he'd be guaranteed to fail but it does feel like a very risky choice.
 

UTAretro

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I agree with this. I saw a lot of Potter's Brighton and they played some really neat stuff at times, even dominated some big sides, especially in terms of possession. This was impressive considering the budget they worked within, but they often looked so toothless in attack, and a lot of the time it could just be very boring to watch.

Now, a lot of that could be put down a lack of talent in attacking positions, as you pointed out. There's obviously some truth to that, but I also think there's a few players who look completely reinvented under RDZ, like Solly March. This makes me think that, actually, there are just some severe limitations to Potter's approach to coaching a football team.

Also, people forget that Brighton were more often than not in, or on the fringes of, the relegation survival battle whilst he was their manager. He arguably did a great job keeping them up, considering where they came from and where they are now, but this does make me wonder whether he'll be good enough for a top club. His level is probably a mid prem team who are happy to be solid and hard to beat, with occasional flashes where they outplay a much bigger/better side for a famous victory.

The only reason I can think we would appoint him is because he's currently available and would take little convincing to take the job, should they pull the trigger on EtH.
I agree with this too.
 

Oranges038

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1. We haven't chosen him yet
2. We don't know if the reports are true
3. It may not be the best choice, but why would it be a stupid choice?
Man Utd don't score enough goals.

Why hire a guy who's teams have been notorious for not scoring enough goals?
 

saik

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Are people being actually serious with wanting Potter here? Fecking ETH who has actually won some trophies is struggling big time here, why do people think Potter will do well? It will be similar to the time when we appointed Rangnick.

He struggled under the pressure at Chelsea he will get eaten alive if he joins us. Our players who think they are big time will treat him the same way they treated Rangnick.