Graham Potter is set to hold talks regarding a new job with the Swedish national team just weeks after his sacking by Premier League outfit West Ham United.
Fired at the end of September after only eight months in charge of the Hammers, Potter opened the door to the Swedish national team a couple of days ago.
The man replaced by Nuno Espirito Santo at West Ham United made his name in Scandinavia, after all. Graham Potter led Ostersunds from the fourth-tier to the Europa League knock-out stages before returning to Britain with spells at Swansea City, Brighton, Chelsea and eventually the London Stadium outfit.
Now, according to Expressen, the Swedish Football Federation [SVFF] are set to kick-start negotiations with the Solihull-born 50-year-old with an eye to taking charge ahead of November’s World Cup qualifying double header.
Sweden set to hold talks with former West Ham United manager Graham Potter
Expressen add that the national team bosses, who sacked former Blackburn Rovers coach Jon Dahl Tomasson following a 1-0 defeat by Kosovo which left Sweden at the bottom of Group B, are ‘intensifying’ their search for a replacement.
Potter is allegedly the number one pick.
And as Sweden plan to secure Tomasson’s successor before November – ahead of those not-quite-break-or-make-but-not-far-off clashes with Switzerland and Slovenia – Potter could be in situ by the time the next international break rolls around.
“On where we stand after [sacking Tomasson], we have three scenarios,” one-time Arsenal and Lyon midfielder Kim Kallstrom, who now works as the nation’s Director of Professional Football, tells Aftonbladet.
“One scenario is that we have an interim solution for the November meeting, to find a more permanent solution for the matches in March. One alternative is that we find a solution for the matches in November and March, and focus on finishing the entire World Cup qualifiers.
“It is a feasible scenario.”
Kim Kallstrom hails ‘talented football coach’ Potter
While Kallstrom insists there is no truth to reports linking Manchester United legend and Norway icon Ole Gunnar Solskjaer with the job, he did admit that he is an admirer of the man who put Ostersunds on the map.
“I think we all know that Graham is, first and foremost, a very nice and lovely person. And a very competent and talented football coach,” he adds. “I’m not going to say more than that.”
Potter confirmed himself this week that he is back in Sweden, visiting his old homeland in an attempt to unwind and work out his next steps.
“I have feelings for Sweden,” he said. 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. Of course.
“I’m in a position where the next thing I take on should be something that I really believe in. I should feel like I can help and that I have support. I’m open to anything.”
Danny Murphy talks up World Cup charge with Alexander Isak leading the line
Despite their dreadful record in the qualification campaign – Swedish reporter Daniel Kristoffersen accused Tomasson of turning a talented crop into ‘Sunday league players’ on talkSPORT – the 2026 World Cup remains a possibility.
The Blue and Yellows can still qualify via the play-offs, or through the UEFA Nations League.
Simon Jordan can see Potter emulating England’s Thomas Tuchel by signing a short-term deal, before returning to the club game later down the line hopefully with his reputation at least partially restored.
“It’s quite an exciting squad,” agrees talkSPORT pundit and former England midfielder Danny Murphy. “And they’ve still got a chance [to reach the World Cup].
“With [Alexander] Isak and [Viktor] Gyokeres up top, with 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.”
