BRIGHTON boss Graham Potter could be next in line for the Tottenham job if Antonio Conte forces an early exit.
According to the Telegraph, Potter has edged out other manager prospects such as Mauricio Pochettino and Robert Mancini.
Although fan favourite Pochettino making a return to North London would make crowds happy, Potter definitely has his merits.
His career prospects are so bright that some reports suggest Potter is the natural successor for England manager Gareth Southgate when his contract expires in 2024.
Reports suggest Spurs chairman Daniel Levy was willing to cough up £15million compensation to get Potter on board, before ultimately appointing Conte last year.
However, if Levy tried to sign him now it would cost him just £10m as he has one less year on his contract.
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Potter has helped Brighton to a respectable ninth place in the Premier League table, and had also caught the eye of Manchester United chiefs in their hunt for a permanent manager.
They were looking for a replacement for interim boss Ralf Rangnick although they eventually settled on Erik ten Hag who is set to take over the reins soon.
So why would the Lilywhites need a replacement?
Conte has got Spurs firing of late and his side are in a scrap with Arsenal for fourth spot in the Premier League, with a North London Derby blockbuster coming up next week.
But he has had aa tumultuous time at the club since joining in November, where at one point they had lost four out of five games causing the team to slip to 12th in the table.
This led the ex-Chelsea boss to question his future at the club, as recently as two months ago, reportedly telling talkSPORT commentator Sam Matterface “I’ve finished, I’ve finished. I’m walking away.”
He also thought they may need to fight off relegation, he said: “Someone has to speak about the race for fourth place, and the reality from the last five games is we have to pay attention to not fight for the relegation zone.”
The Spurs are now at fifth and Levy has reportedly had emergency talks with Conte to keep him with the club, so his departure is not yet sealed.
It is understood that at the end of the season Conte and Levy will have talks regarding his future at the club, where he will ask for more transfer budget as he looks to pick up a number of players.
But if these talks go sour Levy will need to find a replacement and Potter seems like their go to man.