Whelan shares verdict on Aston Villa appointing Graham Potter after source’s reveal
Noel Whelan has suggested Brighton boss Graham Potter could hold out for a better job if he is approached to succeed Steven Gerrard at Aston Villa.
The former Leeds striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, claimed the 47-year-old is doing an “excellent” job with the Seagulls.
Football Insider revealed on Monday (29 August) that Gerrard’s position as manager is far from secure and the club’s ambitious American owners won’t hesitate to sack him if results do not improve.
A source told this site that Villa chiefs are lining up Potter and Mauricio Pochettino as potential replacements should the Liverpool icon depart.
Gerrard, who succeeded Dean Smith last November, has led his side to nine losses in their last 14 Premier League games.
Potter achieved a ninth-place finish with Brighton last term and has been linked with the Tottenham and England jobs in the past.
Whelan suggested the former Swansea boss will be content to stay at the Amex Stadium for the time being.
He told Football Insider‘s Ewan Kingsbury: “He’s been tipped for big jobs because he’s an excellent manager.
“He is doing a great job with Brighton and he seems to have real respect within the game.
“Brighton haven’t spent the most money but he’s getting the best out of that side.
“I think he is someone that will be looked at by bigger teams than Aston Villa in the future if a job were to come up.
“I’m sure he’s very happy with how things are progressing at Brighton right now.
“When you’re doing very well, like he is – it’s only natural that clubs will sit up and take notice.”
In other news, expert claims Gerrard has “four games to save his job” after Aston Villa source news.