Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Football London
Football London
Sport
Matt Smith

Jim Ratcliffe eyes Graham Potter appointment as Manchester United takeover edges closer

Sir Jim Ratcliffe wants to appoint Graham Potter as he moves ever closer to becoming the new owner of Manchester United, according to reports.

The Mirror states that Ratcliffe and INEOS are confident of completing a takeover from the Glazer family at Old Trafford, but does face competition from Qatari banker Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani. Final bids for the Premier League club were submitted last month.

It is believed that the Raine Group, who are administering the sale on the Glazers' behalf, may announce a preferred bidder by next week.

READ MORE: Frank Lampard confirms major Chelsea injury blow ahead of Nottingham Forest clash

Speaking last October, Ratcliffe said: "I've met Joel and Avram [Glazer] and they are the nicest people, I have to say, they are proper gentlemen."

And as developments continue, it is said that Ratcliffe has set his sights on appointing former Chelsea boss Potter as manager at another club within his portfolio.

Nice Matin suggests that the board of INEOS-owned French club, OGC Nice, are planning who will succeed caretaker boss Didier Digard next season, with Potter at the forefront of their minds.

Despite impressing while in charge of the club, the report states that Dave Brailsford, director of INEOS Sports, would like to replace Digard with an English coach.

The report adds, however, that uncertainty is currently rife at the Allianz Riviera, with INEOS thought to be prioritising the purchase of United ahead of anything else.

L'Equipe mention that former Italy midfielder Thiago Motta is of interest to Nice, but is keen on fulfilling a potential vacancy at former club PSG, as Christophe Galtier's future is unclear.

Potter was sacked by Chelsea in April after spending just seven months in the Stamford Bridge dugout, leaving the Blues in the bottom half of the Premier League table.

READ NEXT:

Every word Frank Lampard said on Ben Chilwell injury, N'Golo Kante's Chelsea future and Lewis Hall

Chelsea's undroppable duo, Mauricio Pochettino hold-up and Mason Mount contract talks

Mauricio Pochettino has six transfer options amid Chelsea's Mateo Kovacic dilemma

Frank Lampard confirms 'no understanding' with Chelsea star ready to reject Arsenal and Barcelona

Transfer news LIVE: Latest news, views and rumours from Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.