Rangers now want to hire Graham Potter amid Michael Beale exit development at Ibrox
Former Chelsea and Brighton manager Graham Potter has been shortlisted as a potential Michael Beale replacement at Rangers, according to The Sun.
The newspaper reported online (9 September) that the out-of-work boss could be considered to take the Ibrox dugout amid rising pressure on Beale after recent disappointing results.
The Englishman recently turned down the Lyon job, with Laurent Blanc’s side sitting bottom of Ligue 1 with a single point, according to David Ornstein (7 September), but reportedly remains on Rangers’ radar.
Risky
This move is a risk for both Potter and Rangers.
At this point in the season, it would take a brave man to take the reigns at Rangers from Beale. High expectations of Champions League qualification and title-challenging already look shattered, and Beale has found himself sweeping up a growing mess in Glasgow.
No official word has come out about Beale’s relationship or position with the club, but growing rumblings from the fanbase and the media suggest the tide could very quickly swallow Beale up if he doesn’t instigate an immediate uptick in form.
Upcoming favourable fixtures could allow Beale a moment to breathe and get his squad kicking. A few decent performances and remaining as close to Celtic in the table as possible can do a lot to relieve some of the pressure on Beale.
Elsewhere, Potter is looking to revive his own career. He laid the foundation of the now Europe-qualifying Brighton side doing an “unbelievable job” there, according to Jamie O’Hara on talkSPORT in October. However, an unfortunate spell as Todd Boehly’s first managerial appointment at Chelsea left the once-trendy Potter out of a job.
However, he certainly has enough cache to secure the Rangers job, if he is offered it. However, his recent rejection of Lyon would suggest he is not desperate for work and will only take on a project if he thinks he can handle it.
While Lyon’s issues are significantly worse than Rangers’, the pressure and expectation may not be desirable to Potter, who could seek a lower-pressure appointment.
For now, he’s reportedly just been shortlisted and Beale is still the main man, but while risky for both sides, Potter could prove an astute piece of business by Rangers.
In other Rangers news, Beale must axe a new signing before the St Johnstone clash after his poor display against Celtic.