Former West Ham United and Chelsea manager Graham Potter is reportedly in advanced talks to take over as the new head coach of the Sweden national football team, according to BBC Sport. The move could mark a dramatic return to the country where Potter’s managerial career first gained international recognition.
The 50-year-old English coach, who owns a home in Sweden, has long spoken fondly of his time in the country — particularly his seven-year spell at Östersunds FK, where he transformed the modest fourth-division club into one of Swedish football’s most inspiring success stories.
Sweden Seek a Revival After Poor World Cup Qualifying Start
The Swedish Football Association acted swiftly this week, sacking Jon Dahl Tomasson following a disastrous start to their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign. Sweden sit bottom of Group B with just one point from four matches, having lost to Switzerland and Kosovo, and drawn against Slovenia.
Despite boasting attacking talents such as Liverpool striker Alexander Isak and Arsenal forward Viktor Gyökeres, the team has struggled to find consistency. Monday’s 1-0 home defeat to Kosovo proved to be the final straw for Tomasson, who was dismissed on Tuesday.
However, Sweden’s strong showing in the UEFA Nations League, where they won their group, still gives them a potential route to qualification via the play-offs — an opportunity that could be handed to Potter if talks are finalized.
Potter’s Swedish Connection: From Ostersunds to the National Stage
Potter’s potential appointment is being widely welcomed in Sweden due to his deep connection with the country and his record of success there. Between 2011 and 2018, he guided Östersunds FK from the fourth tier to the Allsvenskan (top division), won the Swedish Cup in 2017, and led the team to the Europa League knockout stages, famously defeating Arsenal 2-1 at the Emirates Stadium.
His innovative coaching methods and focus on team culture made him a household name in Scandinavian football. After his spell in Sweden, Potter managed Swansea City and then impressed with Brighton & Hove Albion, before taking on the Chelsea job in 2022. His tenure at Stamford Bridge lasted seven months, and he later had a brief stint with West Ham United, which ended in September 2025.
Swedish FA ‘Moving Quickly’ to Secure Potter
Reports indicate that negotiations between Potter and the Swedish Football Association (SvFF) are progressing rapidly, with both sides eager to finalize an agreement before the next round of international fixtures.
A source close to the talks said, “Graham has always maintained a strong connection to Sweden — both personally and professionally. He believes he can bring stability and vision back to the national team.”
If appointed, Potter will be tasked with reigniting Sweden’s World Cup qualification hopes and restoring the confidence of a talented squad that has struggled for form in recent months.
What’s Next
Should a deal be agreed, Potter’s appointment could be officially confirmed within days, making him Sweden’s first English manager in over three decades. His first assignment would likely be preparing the squad for crucial qualifying fixtures in November 2025, where Sweden’s fate in the 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign could hang in the balance.
Leave a Reply