Graham Potter has given Leicester City management return hint after Steve Cooper sack

Graham Potter is one of the bookmakers' favourites to replace Steve Cooper at Leicester City. The former Chelsea boss was close to joining the Foxes in the summer before Cooper was appointed.

The club has had a long-standing interest in Potter. When Brendan Rodgers was dismissed in April 2023, Potter was without work but Dean Smith was appointed. Potter has been out of work since he was sacked by Chelsea on the same day that Rodgers was dismissed.

Potter is currently one of the leading candidates to become the new head coach at the King Power Stadium. Fortunately for Leicester and King Power Group, the 49-year-old has already given the green light to a return in management.

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In the summer, Potter revealed how the time was approaching for him to return to the dugout. "I spoke to lots of teams and lots of clubs but it was recognising that journey [he had been on as a coach] was a long journey, a tough journey," he told Sky Sports. "Unless the right opportunity came along I wasn't rushing to go back into football. It had to be right for me.

"I spoke to a few clubs but it wasn't the right thing. It was important I was patient and waited for the right opportunity and took the time with the family to reflect and think about what I wanted to do. Now I'm in that good place where I'm happy to be ready and looking forward to the next challenge.

"I've had a great break. The journey from where I started to where I finished doesn't come for free. Moving three countries, with a young family and all that comes with being a football manager. It was important for me to take a break, reflect and re-energise. It was a good time to look at other things, other sports, other teams and visit places. I feel really ready, really excited to be back when the right opportunity comes."

Just two months ago, Potter confirmed he will be a better coach than the one at Chelsea when he does return. “I’ve felt ready to return for a little while,” he told The Telegraph. “It still has to be the right thing, but I’m excited for it. I’m excited to hear what the opportunities are and I’ll take each one and judge it on its merits.

“It wasn’t so long ago that Eddie Howe left Bournemouth after they had been relegated, he took 18 months out and now he’s at Newcastle doing brilliant things. If you look at Unai Emery, how he was received after leaving Arsenal and look at what he’s doing now.

"This is the job, the challenge of football. I see it [Chelsea] as an unbelievable experience that I’ve had, it didn’t go as well as I’d have liked. I have to take responsibility for that, but I think I’m better for it and I’ll be a better coach, for sure.”