Graham Potter lined up for return to management with surprise club a month after Chelsea sacking

GRAHAM POTTER could be set for a swift return to football management after being reportedly targeted by Nice.

The French club, owned by British billionaire and Ineos founder Sir Jim Ratcliffe, are looking for a permanent manager after sacking Lucien Favre in January.

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And Potter could well be in the market for a new job after he was sacked at Chelsea last month.

The former Brighton boss was picked to take over at Stamford Bridge by the new Todd Boehly-led ownership in September.

But things quickly unravelled by April with Potter booted out after overseeing a string of poor results.

French outlet report that Ineos director of sport Dave Brailsford has identified Potter as an option for the club's next head coach.

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Nice are believed to be leaning towards a British manager, which would continue a trend the club have adopted since Ratcliffe's 2019 takeover.

The French side have recruited the likes of former England international Ross Barkley and Welshman Aaron Ramsey, while also bringing in former Premier League players like Kasper Schmeichel and Nicolas Pepe.

Despite all the changes, the club are drifting towards a mid-table finish having ended last season 5th and in a European spot.

Potter made his name by managing abroad and grew his reputation over seven years at Swedish club Ostersunds.

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He spent a year at Swansea before Brighton swooped, with Potter becoming loved by fans for turning the Seagulls into an attractive, mid-table Premier League outfit.

But his time at Chelsea proved difficult as Potter struggled to get on top of the club's string of big money signings.

The Blues sacked him on the same day Leicester dismissed Brendan Rodgers, but Potter rebuffed the Foxes efforts to give him an immediate route back into club management.

Along with the search for Nice's new manager, Ratcliffe also has bigger fish to fry as he looks to buy Manchester United.