THE ALBION boss has been hailed as “the obvious long-term successor” to England manager Gareth Southgate.

Graham Potter was appointed head coach of Brighton and Hove Albion in May 2019.

Following Saturday’s 1-0 win over Tottenham, the Seagulls sit tenth in the Premier League table.

Journalist Henry Winter says he believes Potter is in pole position to replace Gareth Southgate, who is under contract with the England national team until December 2024.

“The Brighton and Hove Albion head coach is viewed by some around the England camp as Gareth Southgate’s obvious long-term successor and his popularity at the FA will have been enhanced by the way he set up his team tactically to negate Tottenham Hotspur’s strengths,” Henry Winter wrote in The Times.

According to the bookies, Potter is one of the favourites to succeed Southgate, along with Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe and Norwich manager Dean Smith.

Potter, who has a Master's degree in leadership and emotional intelligence, began his managerial career at Swedish side Ostersund, where he won three promotions in five seasons, followed by a first major trophy and a spot in the Europa League.

He spent two years at Swansea before taking over at Brighton in 2019.

Last November he spoke about his England ambitions.

“If you’re looking at international football and you’re an Englishman, then of course it’s the pinnacle,” he said.

“You can see the Champions League and club football is also a pinnacle.

“The England job is a fantastic job and Gareth (Southgate) has done an amazing job there and long may he continue.

“I can’t sit here and say anything else. My focus is on Brighton and Hove Albion.

“I would be very foolish to think of anything other that that because in six months’ time the table might look a lot different and people might think, ‘No chance with this guy’. That’s how it is.”

At Euro 2020, Southgate, who grew up in Crawley, became the first England manager to reach the final of a European Championship and to reach any major tournament final since 1966.