A key member of Leicester City’s historic 2015/16 Premier League title winning side has provided his backing for one of the men linked with the managerial vacancy at the club.
It has now been two weeks since Enzo Maresca was confirmed as the new Chelsea manager, leaving Leicester City after just one season.
It was a successful solitary campaign with Leicester winning the Championship, but the fact Maresca departed for Chelsea after the Foxes had taken a gamble on him in just his second senior management role last summer came as a surprise.
The Leicester hierarchy have been working hard to narrow down their own manager search over the past couple of weeks and look to have decided on Graham Potter as their favoured candidate.
Danny Simpson backs Graham Potter for Leicester job
A number of names have been mentioned in association with the vacancy at the King Power, but Potter is reported to have held detailed discussions with the club’s decision-makers.
News that the compensation Leicester are set to receive from Chelsea for Maresca means the Premier League are set to lift the club’s transfer embargo helps their cause, but Potter still needs convincing the job is right for him.
The 49-year-old has been patient following his sacking as Chelsea boss in April 2023, turning down a number of roles since.
However, former Leicester right-back Danny Simpson feels now is the right time for Potter to get back into management and feels the East Midlands club is the perfect place for him to do so.
Simpson told Sports Boom: “I think Graham Potter would be good. He’s been quiet for a while now and, from what I understand, he was someone who the club spoke to about the job a while ago.
“It didn’t happen then, but maybe now would be a good time. There’s still a few issues to sort out with some senior players, but whatever happens it needs to be done quick.
“The club still have a core of players who know how to play in the Premier League, but they need to get a new manager in because, before you know it, it’s pre-season again and decisions need to be made.”
Jurgen Klopp rates Potter highly
Potter has his fair share of admirers despite an unsuccessful spell at Chelsea; having left Brighton to become Todd Boehly’s first appointment since taking over at Stamford Bridge.
Having first gained attention as he took his Ostersund side to a Europa League knockout tie with Arsenal in 2018, Potter managed Swansea City in the Championship before taking over at Brighton.
His Brighton side earned plaudits from across the Premier League and recently departed Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp was a fan of his work.
Speaking on Potter’s Brighton in February 2021, Klopp said: “I respect so much what Graham Potter is doing there. They are a football-playing side.
“They fight to stay in the league – I watch them as often as I can.
“The way they play is really good and unbelievable – they stick to their idea, and I respect that a lot. I know how good they are.”
Under Potter, Leicester would have a clear identity and he would be able to build on the possession principles engrained into the side in Maresca’s season at the helm.
It could be the perfect opportunity for the ex-Chelsea boss to make his return at a side who should suit the style of football he wants to play.
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