By George Overhill

5th Jun, 2023 | 7:10am

Leeds United interest in Graham Potter cause Nice to shy away toward Regis Le Bris as Leicester and Crystal Palace also linked

The presence of Leeds United and fellow English clubs have caused to Nice cool their interest in former Chelsea boss Graham Potter, according to RMC Sport.

Crystal Palace and Leicester are have also been linked to the English coach, causing the Ligue 1 side to shy away despite Potter apparently fitting the profile favoured by owners Ineos.

Nice sporting director Florent Ghisolfi and general manager Fabrice Bocquet are therefore “campaigning” for Lorient boss Regis Le Bris, himself named as a candidate for Elland Road [The Sun, 1 June], to replace the exit-bound Didier Digard.

RMC Sport reports: “The name of Régis Le Bris, extended with all his staff at the end of March, has emerged several times in recent weeks in Nice, but it is not unanimous. 

“The Ineos clan would favor a more experienced profile at the top level, like Graham Potter. This track nevertheless cooled off against the interests of English clubs such as Crystal Palace, Leeds and Leicester.”

Crowded race

The Brighton vintage of Potter would seem like the sort of candidate that the Leeds United support could rally around as he plots a course for promotion.

A perception that any manager would have struggled in the unique circumstances at Chelsea this season explains why there is wide interest in his services.

But the Whites are likely to struggle to bring him in when he apparently has so many options if they don’t have answers at the top amid the unresolved ownership negotiations between Andrea Radrizzani and 49ers Enterprises.

If Nice are eyeing up Le Bris the Frenchman may be off the market as well by the time the hierarchy at Elland Road becomes clear, as Angus Kinnear has been in talks with potential options but surely can’t implement anything concrete until there is clarity above him.

Brendan Rodgers and Steven Gerrard are two other names who have been tipped as options to lead Leeds United in the Championship, but with so many other clubs looking at coaches and able to move quicker there is a growing danger that the current succession plan mirrors the mess that followed the sacking of Jesse Marsch in February.

Andoni Iraola and Arne Slot were among the candidates approached and missed at that time, with Javi Gracia belatedly appointed from some way down the list of priorities, and if the club isn’t careful they are going to be stuck with a consolation prize again.

Nice may be weary of English interest in Potter, but it is sure to be rivals who have now got the head start on bringing him in, and that situation will be repeating itself more and more if the Whites don’t get into gear soon.

In other Leeds United news, Phil Hay has shared an “interesting” transfer update with one expensive asset set to remain for the new season.