Brighton 'consider shock move to bring back Graham Potter' for a second spell in charge - after target Kieran McKenna signed new Ipswich deal

Brighton have reportedly considered bringing back Graham Potter for a second spell as head coach of the club. 

The Seagulls are currently on the search for a new head coach parting ways with Roberto De Zerbi's last month. 

They had interest in Ipswich manager Kieran McKenna but he has penned a new four-year contract at Portman Road. 

Now, Brighton are contemplating rehiring Potter according to The Athletic as they continue to undergo a 'meticulous' process to find De Zerbi's successor. 

Should the move go ahead, it would be a full circle moment for Potter - who helped put Brighton on the map as a consistent Premier League performer during his spell at the club. 

Potter particularly succeeded in his last 18 months as Brighton boss - overseeing a ninth-placed finish in 2021-22 before guiding them to fourth place at the start of the 2022-23 season prior to his mid-season defection to Chelsea.

His time with the Blues proved far less fruitful however - with the Englishman sacked as manager of the west London club after just 31 games in the top job.

Potter was not able to achieve the same acclaim that he garnered at Ostersunds, Swansea, and Brighton, and has been waiting for the right opportunity since. 

The 49-year-old rejected the chances to become Ajax's new manager last month as he felt the project at the Dutch club was not right for him. 

A return to Brighton could be swift for Potter given the fact they wouldn't need to pay compensation for him. 

He also still lives in Brighton with his family and is the neighbour of managing director Paul Barber. 

Former Nottingham boss Steve Cooper is another manager Brighton are considering. 

Cooper, who has been out of work since being sacked by Forest in December, has made it known that he is determined to continue working in the Premier League.