'I love the country' – Graham Potter on talk of 'fantastic opportunity' with national team after departing from West Ham
Published 15/10/2025 at 10:45 GMT+1
Could Graham Potter be about to take his first steps into international football? The 50-year-old has publicly expressed his interest in the vacant Sweden national team position following his departure from West Ham United. Potter made a name for himself in the country with Ostersund, and this appointment would mark a poignant return for the former Brighton & Hove Albion and Chelsea head coach.
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Graham Potter's managerial career took a damaging hit when he was dismissed by West Ham United last month, but he has touted himself for his next appointment.
The 50-year-old certainly isn't dwelling on the past though, and has his eyes set on a role which would mark an emotional return to the country where he kickstarted his managerial career.
Before his stints in English football, Potter embarked on a role with then fourth-tier Swedish side Ostersund and subsequently oversaw their remarkable rise to the top-flight before leading the team to cup glory.
That ensured UEFA Europa League qualification for the 2017/18 campaign and a run to the round-of-32 where, despite claiming a memorable 2-1 at the Emirates against Arsenal, the club were eliminated 4-2 on aggregate.
A seven-year spell in Sweden undoubtedly put Potter on an upward trajectory that arguably culminated with landing the Chelsea job, before his dismissals at Stamford Bridge and the London Stadium lowered his stature.
Memories of his exit from east London are still very fresh, as Potter only won six of 23 Premier League games in charge before being replaced by Nuno Espirito Santo in the role.
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Now Potter is looking to rebuild his reputation by taking his first national team role with Sweden, who parted company with legendary Danish striker Jon Dahl Tomasson following a damaging 2-0 World Cup qualifying defeat against Kosovo on Monday.
SvFF chairman Simon Astrom said: "The decision taken by the Swedish Football Association is based on the fact that the men's national team has not delivered the results we hoped for.
"There is still a chance for a play-off in March and our responsibility is to ensure that we have the best possible conditions to be able to reach a World Cup final. In this regard, we believe that new leadership is required."
Could Potter be the man to provide that new leadership? It seems that the former Hammers boss is open to the idea, judging by recent comments he made to Fotbollskanalen.
He said: "I'm actually in Sweden right now, in my house in Sweden. I'm between jobs and just left the Premier League.
"I'm open to anything, really, where I feel I can help. The job as head coach of the Swedish national team is fantastic.
"I have feelings for Sweden. I love the country and I love Swedish football. I have a lot to be grateful for towards Swedish football.
"So yes, it would be a fantastic opportunity for me, obviously."
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Speaking more about the type of job which would appeal, Potter added: "I have accumulated a lot of experience so far, and I'm very grateful for the career I have had so far.
"But I'm only 50 years old and I still have a lot to offer. It's not about me finding a job at a specific level, but about wanting to find something where I feel I can help and where I can make a difference.
"I also want to feel that we [those involved] are on the same line. Those are my criteria."
Potter will have a huge job on his hands if he heads to Scandinavia, and will be tasked with reigniting a Sweden side winless and slumped at the bottom of Group B with only one point from four qualifiers.
The play-offs could be Sweden’s salvation though, which they are likely to qualify for due to their UEFA Nations League performances.
Sweden’s next two matches are away to Switzerland on November 15, before hosting Slovenia three days later.
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