GRAHAM POTTER is being lined up for a surprise return to English football.
The former Chelsea boss is on Stoke’s “highly ambitious” shortlist to replace Alex Neil.
ReutersGraham Potter is on the shortlist to become Stoke’s new manager[/caption]
According to The Sentinel, Potter is amongst the candidates to take over at the Championship club.
Neil was sacked by the Potters on Sunday in the wake of their 1-0 defeat to fellow strugglers Sheffield Wednesday.
The result was Stoke’s fourth in a row and leaves the club just two points clear of the relegation zone.
Supporters were quick to call for Potter’s appointment following Neil’s departure, with the 48-year-old spending three years with Stoke as a player.
His interest in the job is unclear, with some reports suggesting he has already rejected an approach.
He previously wanted the role in 2018 when the club were still in the Premier League and he was managing Ostersunds in Sweden.
Stoke’s managerial shortlist also includes ex-captain John Eustace, former Sunderland boss Tony Mowbray, Plymouth gaffer Steven Schumacher and sacked Rangers manager Michael Beale.
Potter has been out of work since being sacked by Chelsea in April.
A number of clubs have since tried to hire the ex-Brighton boss, including Lyon and Leicester.
Meanwhile, he recently turned down the chance to manage the Swedish national team.
Potter has also been tipped as a potential candidate to replace Erik ten Hag if the Manchester United manager is axed.
APPotter has been out of work since leaving Chelsea in April[/caption]