Journalist Ben Jacobs has given his view on the idea that Graham Potter should become the next manager of Newcastle United.
Potter has emerged in recent weeks as a potential manager to take over from Steve Bruce at St. James’ Park as the new owners look set to head in a new direction following their takeover of the club. And whilst Potter did address the talk a few weeks ago, there wasn’t anything concrete to say that he wouldn’t turn down the job if a serious offer came in at some point.
And speaking on the latest edition of NUFC Matters (15:57) as part of a wider discussion about who could take over the role, Jacobs, whilst name dropping a couple of other potential candidates, named Potter as someone that he felt could do a good job up on Tyneside:
“Somebody like a Hodgson, if it’s only short term, could be quite useful. Graham Potter is another name that I think could deserve a chance, and Eddie Howe. And of those names, I think Potter and Howe would be excellent and Potter’s the kind of person for me that can actually take Newcastle out of trouble, and then build.”
TIF Thoughts on Ben Jacobs’ comments on Graham Potter and Newcastle United
Would you take Graham Potter at Newcastle United?
Yes
No
The 46-year-old Potter is someone that has been linked with bigger clubs than Brighton in the past, having been linked to the Tottenham Hotspur job this past summer and more recently to replace Mikel Arteta at Arsenal.
And given the ambition of the new owners at Newcastle United is to become a club above and beyond that of the two aforementioned teams in North London, then you can understand why Potter might be considered on Tyneside to take the next step in his career. But it depends on how big a ‘build’ Potter would be asked to do at St James’ Park.
Because whilst he has won some silverware in his career, and done an impressive job at Brighton, he’s not exactly a ‘serial winner’, someone who is used to challenging for honours on a consistent basis.
If Newcastle want Potter to come in as a ‘stabilising’ coach just to get them out of trouble and move them slowly up the table, then it seems like a sensible appointment. But if they want someone to take them further beyond that and challenging for titles and honours, then they would be better off getting someone with more experience at winning them at the helm.
In other news: ‘On pure transfer fees alone’ – Liam Kennedy shares potential huge NUFC budget for January