Brighton manager Graham Potter shoots down Tottenham Hotspur rumours

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 09 May 2022

Graham Potter shoots down Tottenham rumours

Brighton & Hove Albion manager Graham Potter rubbishes reports claiming that he could replace Antonio Conte at Tottenham Hotspur this summer.

Brighton & Hove Albion manager Graham Potter has rubbished reports claiming that he could be in line for the Tottenham Hotspur job.

The 46-year-old's work with the Seagulls has been admired since he replaced Chris Hughton in 2019, and he has led Brighton into the top half of the Premier League table this season.

Enjoying a seven-and-a-half year spell at Ostersund and a season at Swansea City before arriving on the South Coast, Potter's Brighton side currently sit ninth in the table with two games left to play.

As well as coming away with victories from Tottenham and Arsenal's turf this season, Potter witnessed his side crush Manchester United 4-0 at the weekend to end the Red Devils' hopes of a top-four finish.

Amid his impressive season with the Seagulls, Potter was allegedly identified by Tottenham as their number one choice to take over as manager if Antonio Conte departed at the end of the season.

Tottenham Hotspur manager Antonio Conte reacts on April 3, 2022 © Reuters

The Italian's future in North London has been consistently called into question this season, as Spurs lie four points adrift of fourth-placed Arsenal in the Premier League table with three games left.

Potter is under contract at the Amex Stadium for another three years, though, and he was quick to shoot down speculation linking him with the hotseat at Tottenham during a recent press conference.

When questioned on the Tottenham links by reporters, the Englishman responded: "You guys (the media) sometimes put stuff in the newspapers that's not exactly true.

"What can I say? It's got to the point now where there's not even a vacancy and you're getting linked to it. I don't know what to say. I've never said I want to leave at all.

"It wasn't so long back that I was probably getting criticism and if you'd gone on some local fan sites, I bet I wasn't the flavour of the month, so things change pretty quickly – let's not forget that.

"But I've always had the support of Tony (Bloom, Brighton owner) and the board and they've given me a chance to work, so I'm grateful for that and I enjoy it here."

Brighton & Hove Albion manager Graham Potter applauds fans after the match on April 2, 2022 © Reuters

Potter has overseen 11 wins, 14 draws and 11 defeats from Brighton's 36 Premier League games this season, and the Seagulls will conclude their campaign against Leeds United and West Ham United.

The former left-back has now taken charge of 126 games for Brighton - posting 36 wins, 44 draws and 46 defeats in that period as he seeks to cement Brighton's top-half place.

Meanwhile, Conte was allegedly being eyed up by Paris Saint-Germain as their new manager, with ex-Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino not expected to stay on beyond the summer.

However, the former Chelsea and Inter Milan coach dismissed such links as "lies" and "fake news", and he is under contract with the North London club until the end of next season.

Spurs welcome Arsenal to their home for Thursday's make-or-break North London derby in the Premier League, and the Lilywhites' Champions League hopes will be over if they suffer defeat to Mikel Arteta's side and if Chelsea overcome Leeds United 24 hours before.