Manchester United

The 48-year-old has been without a job since being dismissed by Chelsea in April of last year after just six months at the America-owned West Londoners.

Potter had earned his brief opportunity to impress at Stamford Bridge following successful spells at Swansea City and Brighton & Hove Albion within the English game.

The head coach first rose to prominence in Scandinavia, taking Swedish outfit Ostersunds FK from the fourth tier to Europa League football during a meteoric rise.

According to The Sun, Ashworth met up with Potter last weekend as Manchester United begin to consider alternatives to current boss Erik ten Hag.

The former Ajax coach enjoyed a productive first campaign at Old Trafford, winning the EFL Cup and finishing third in the Premier League, securing Champions League football.

However, the 2023-24 season has thrown up major concerns for the Red Devils, who crashed out of the Champions League at the group stage and now sit eight points behind fourth-placed Aston Villa in the Premier League.

The report claims that Potter is the favourite of Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Sir David Brailsford to assume the managerial position at United should Ten Hag be dismissed at the conclusion of the campaign.

INEOS chief Ratcliffe recently acquired minority ownership of Man United from the Glazer Family, who have given up control of football operations to the English billionaire.

It is understood that Ratcliffe has been an admirer of Potter for a significant period of time but was unable to spark a working relationship with the coach in the past.

Also playing a major role in the ownership of Ligue 1 side Nice, it is believed that the 71-year-old wanted to lure Potter to the Allianz Riviera last year.

Although not officially confirmed as United's new sporting director, former Brighton chief Ashworth has been placed on gardening leave by Newcastle United as the Magpies and the Red Devils agree a compensation fee.

Ratcliffe's backroom revolution at Old Trafford began with a bang earlier in 2024, when United appointed Omar Berrada as their CEO, luring the Frenchman from local rivals Manchester City.