Talk about falling upwards; from dragging West Ham United into the Premier League doldrums to the World Cup over in sunny USA for Graham Potter.
Well, that would be the plan anyway, should the man sacked by the Hammers at the end of September secure a speedy return to management.
That is not to say the Swedish national team job would represent something of a coaching cakewalk compared to the pressure and the tension which accompanied his every move at West Ham United. And while the 2026 World Cup is a pretty tempting one as far as prizes go, Graham Potter would probably need to borrow his namesake’s magic wand if he is to book Sweden’s place at next summer’s Festival of Football.
Potter confirmed his interest in the Sweden job after Jon Dahl Tomasson was sacked on Tuesday, following a 1-0 home defeat to Kosovo which leaves the 2018 quarter-finalists with a mountain to climb. Sweden are rock bottom in their qualifying group, six points adrift of the play-offs.
The nation’s Football Association have also confirmed that, should Potter get the gig, the former Chelsea boss would be under immediate pressure to secure a pair of campaign-saving, back-to-back victories against Switzerland and Slovenia next month.
Not impossible, certainly. But out of the pan and into the fire, even if Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyokeres is a fanbase most managers in world football could only dream of.
Reacting on talkSPORT, ex-Crystal Palace chairman Simon Jordan and one-time England midfielder Danny Murphy can see both the pros and the cons to Potter following Thomas Tuchel and co onto the international stage and away from the brutal, energy-sapping nature of day-to-day action.
Simon Jordan reacts as former West Ham United manager Graham Potter talks up Sweden role
Jordan points out that, as recently as 2022, Chelsea paid a world-record £22 million to free Graham Potter from his contract at Brighton and Hove Albion. Three years on, he has taken charge of 56 games across two sizeable Premier League outfits while recording a miserly 18 wins.
“[Sweden] have had great players in the past. You know, Henrik Larson and Thomas Brolan, who played for Palace. But they’ve never had a particularly great team,” Jordan says. “They are not a world-beating team.
“So, where does it take you from being part of a project of this Chelsea revolution, where he was sought after with these billionaires [at Stamford Bridge] that paid the world-record fee?
“There’s no doubt Grand Potter is a decent coach. There’s no doubt that he’s done decent jobs, specifically at Brighton, to a lesser degree at Swansea, and certainly in Sweden [where Potter took Ostersunds from the fourth-tier to the Europa League].
“But [leaving club football for the international stage] is not a trajectory that goes up.”
Danny Murphy highlights Swedish superstars Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyokeres
Jordan suspects that Potter would sign a short-term contract similar to that of Thomas Tuchel at England. For all the criticism of their recent performances – reporter Daniel Kristofferson blasted Tomasson for making Alexander Isak and co look like ‘Sunday league footballers’ – this is still a team with star quality across a variety of positions.
“It’s quite an exciting squad,” Murphy says, Sweden boasting two centre-forwards who changed hands for around £190 million over the summer. “And they’ve still got a chance [to reach the World Cup].
“With Isak and [Viktor] Gyokeres up top, the likes of [Tottenham’s Lucas] Bergvall, they shouldn’t be losing the games they’re losing.
“So for Potter, and any other person looking at that job, you’re looking at the personnel and thinking, ‘[there is] easy room for improvement here and still a great chance to lead a side to the World Cup’.
“He’s probably quite fortunate if he gets the job in after recent failings. If they can qualify via the play-offs, he’s really in business.
“But the other thing for him as well is it’s probably a really appetising opportunity because he is well thought of over there, and also the pressure is not the same with being battered here, isn’t it?”
Graham Potter explains his plan post-West Ham
Speaking to Fotbollskanalen, Potter laid out the criteria he would be looking for if he is to make an immediate return to management.
“I’m in a position where the next thing I take on should be something that I really believe in,” the 50-year-old said. “I should feel like I can help and that I have support. I’m open to anything.
“I also want to feel that we [those involved] are on the same page. Those are my criteria. I have no expectations [that the Swedish FA will call me]. I’m sure they will do their job and see what’s best for Swedish football.
“From the outside, I wish them all the best because I have enormous respect for Sweden and Swedish football.
“I’ve worked in the country for seven years and spent a lot of time in different parts of the country. Sweden has played a huge, huge role in my career. And in my life. I am forever grateful for that.
“I’m open to anything right now. I’m looking forward to the next challenge.”
