Ex-Chelsea boss Graham Potter REJECTS return to management as he snubs chance to replace Man Utd legend in dugout

FORMER Chelsea manager Graham Potter has rejected the chance to become Lyon manager, according to reports.

The 48-year-old was identified as the top candidate to replace current head coach Laurent Blanc earlier this week.

Blanc is on the verge of leaving the Groupama Stadium amid Lyon's poor start to the season.

The French giants currently sit rock bottom of the Ligue 1 table with just one point from four games.

Owner John Textor believed Potter would be the perfect man to lead the team back into the top half given his success with Brighton in the Premier League.

However, according to , Potter has politely declined the managerial offer.

The ex-Prem boss viewed the vacancy as an 'appealing opportunity', but he ultimately decided that it was not the right time to return to management.

Potter has been unemployed since he was sacked by Chelsea in April.

He spent just seven months at Stamford Bridge after club chief Todd Boehly bought him out of his Brighton contract in September 2022.

Despite spending £330MILLION during the January transfer window, he failed to take the Blues into the top half of the Premier League table.

FREE BETS - BEST BETTING OFFERS AND BONUSES NEW CUSTOMERS

He was initially replaced by interim boss Frank Lampard before Mauricio Pochettino took over in July.

The Blues have since spent another £400m on players, but they currently sit 12th in the Premier League.