Graham Potter Rejects Lyon Head Coach Role, Lopetegui and Fonseca Considered

by · September 7, 2023

Key Takeaways:

  • Graham Potter declines head coach role at Lyon in Ligue 1.
  • Potter, a former Chelsea and Brighton manager, left Chelsea in April.
  • Lyon owner John Textor seeks to invest heavily in the squad and facilities.
  • Potential candidates for Lyon’s head coach role include Paulo Fonseca and Julen Lopetegui.
  • Potter had previously worked continuously since 2011, including spells at Ostersunds, Swansea, and Brighton.

Former Chelsea and Brighton manager, Graham Potter, has turned down the opportunity to become Lyon’s head coach in Ligue 1. Lyon, currently at the bottom of the table, had identified Potter as their first choice for a significant restructuring effort. However, Potter has decided that it is not the right time to return to management.

Lyon’s American owner has ambitious plans for the club and intends to make substantial investments in the squad and facilities in the coming months and years. With Potter declining the role, Lyon is now considering other candidates, including current Lille boss Paulo Fonseca and Julen Lopetegui, who left Wolves in August.

Graham Potter had been without a managerial role since his departure from Chelsea in April, where he was sacked after just 31 games into a five-year contract. At the time of his dismissal, Chelsea was 11th in the Premier League, marking their first finish outside the top half since 1996. Prior to his Chelsea stint, Potter had an extensive managerial career, starting in 2011 when he led Ostersunds from the Swedish fourth tier to European football. He also spent time at Swansea and Brighton, where he oversaw significant changes in the club’s on-field philosophy, resulting in a ninth-place finish in 2021/22.

Among the other potential options, Paulo Fonseca took charge of Lille in June 2022 and guided the club to a fifth-placed finish in Ligue 1 last season. Meanwhile, Julen Lopetegui played a crucial role in helping Wolves avoid Premier League relegation during his nine-month tenure, despite the team’s challenging situation when he took over.

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Tyler Potts

Tyler Potts is experienced football tipster and blogger. He has over two years of experience as a freelance football analyst and journalist. His hobbies include team sports, windsurfing and climbing. He loves the Bundesliga and the German national team. Tyler is invariable part of BettingID’s journalist team.

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