Graham Potter turns down Lyon's offer to return to management

The former Chelsea boss needs more time before stepping back into management

Graham Potter, the past Chelsea boss, declined the opportunity to succeed Laurent Blanc as Lyon's new coach.

As the leading candidate to succeed Blanc, the former France manager who has lost all four of his games so far in the new Ligue 1 campaign, Potter was the focus of Lyon owner John Textor. Additionally, Textor holds a 40% majority ownership in Crystal Palace.

Potter graciously denied the offer to work for Lyon, a team he thought was interesting but had presented itself at an inappropriate moment.

Although the 48-year-old has been unemployed since April, he wants to consider all of his possibilities before deciding to return to the dugout.

As Thomas Tuchel's replacement, Potter endured seven tumultuous months at Stamford Bridge before being fired and succeeded by interim manager Frank Lampard. The Blues then named Mauricio Pochettino as his ultimate replacement over the course of the summer.

Potter was hired by Chelsea following three years of good performance with Brighton. Prior to that, Potter managed Swansea and Ostersund in Sweden. His managing career started at Leeds Carnegie.

After Lyon's 4-1 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain this past weekend, incumbent manager Laurent Blanc is anticipated to be fired. Lyon is currently last in the league with just one point through the first four matches.

But the prior Manchester United stalwart said that if Lyon wants to turn around their season, they must fire him. When asked what the team could do to turn things around after another 4-1 loss to Montpellier in Lyon's season-opening home game, Blanc simply said, "Change the manager."