I saw Graham Potter on Monday Night Football - the former Chelsea boss struggled on one question
Graham Potter had a huge opportunity to showcase why he is one of the most talented and prized managers in English football when he was the star guest on Sky's Monday Night Football.
The 49-year-old, who has been out of work for 18 months since leaving Chelsea in April 2023, featured alongside ex-Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher and presenter David Jones for the coverage of Bournemouth's game against Southampton.
During his time on the programme, Potter was asked about a number of different topics, including his footballing journey from the ninth-tier to the Premier League, his successful stint with Brighton and the short spell at Chelsea. Something else that cropped up were his plans for the future.
Jones, who is a master when it comes to interviews, teed up Potter perfectly with questions about two obvious topics in Manchester United and England. The former Ostersund and Swansea boss was linked with replacing Erik ten Hag earlier this summer and his name has been mentioned recently with United struggling, while he has also been tipped to become the next Three Lions permanent manager.
Instead of publicly throwing his hat in the ring and showing clear desire to work at two of the most prestigious jobs in world football, Potter couldn't get away from the subjects fast enough. He joked that it should be time for a commercial break and dodged giving a definite answer either way.
Yes, you have to applaud the fact he was respectful to both United and England but surely that was his moment to be ambitious and outline his future steps in management. Right now, it doesn't feel like Potter himself knows where he wants to be next - despite the fact he has spent so long out of the game.
READ MORE: Estevao Willian is already demonstrating why he must be in Enzo Maresca's 2025/26 Chelsea plans
READ MORE: Petrovic sends Maresca message, Andrey Santos wows, Wiley issue, Broja wait - Chelsea loan latest
Potter did say he is 'open' to any opportunity but surely he has to be aiming for a top-flight or an elite international management job? He is too good to be working, for example, in the Championship. However, the longer Potter waits the more his stock could drop, especially if there is a newer crop of skilled young coaches.
When he was in contention for the Leicester job back in June, it didn't feel like Potter committed to the process because England might have been available after Euro 2024. Steve Cooper ended up becoming the next Foxes boss, and although he hasn't got off to the greatest start, there is a foundation to build upon.
Considering the work Enzo Maresca did with his possession-based style in the Championship last season, this was the perfect next job for Potter to walk into. The players were used to be playing in that way and it would have been a good fit, due to the way his previous teams used to take care of the ball.
Having not grasped that opportunity - and plenty of others within the past year - Potter is still without a managerial role. For me, he has got to return to the dugout as soon as possible, even if he has to work his way back up to a so-called 'Big Six' club again. Those opportunities might not come up again.