Graham Potter makes shock return in international role on FIVE-MONTH contract after West Ham sacking as he sets sights on World Cup qualification

Sweden have turned to Potter in a desperate bid to salvage their 2026 World Cup hopes. The English coach has signed an initial five-month contract, taking charge for November’s final qualifiers against Switzerland and Slovenia. Should the team progress to the playoffs, Potter’s deal will automatically extend to cover both the playoff campaign in March and, potentially, the World Cup next summer in North America.

Potter replaces Jon Dahl Tomasson, who was dismissed following a disastrous run that left Sweden bottom of Group B with just one point from four matches. A 1-0 defeat to Kosovo earlier this month proved the final straw, ending Tomasson’s brief and turbulent tenure as the national team’s first foreign head coach. Sweden’s only saving grace lies in their Nations League group finish, which could yet secure them a playoff spot despite their dismal qualifying record.

The appointment marks a surprise return to management for Potter, who only last month was relieved of his duties at West Ham after a poor start to the Premier League season. The Hammers suffered five defeats in their opening six games, leaving them in the relegation zone and prompting the club to part ways with the former Brighton and Chelsea boss. For Potter, the Sweden job represents a chance to rebuild his reputation in a country where he once thrived.

“I am very humbled by the assignment, but also incredibly inspired,” said Potter after being confirmed as Sweden’s new manager. “Sweden has fantastic players who deliver in the world’s best leagues during the weeks. My job will be to create the conditions so that we as a team deliver at the highest level to take Sweden to the World Cup next summer.”

The chairman of the Swedish Football Association, Simon Astrom, praised Potter’s appointment and the quick turnaround in finding a replacement for Tomasson. “It is still our goal to get to the World Cup next summer,” he explained. “Our hope is to play the playoffs in March, and all the decisions we have made now have been based on optimizing the conditions to reach our goal. With Graham Potter, we get a strong and experienced leadership that has been tested at the absolute highest level.”

Kim Kallstrom, the Director of Football of the Swedish Football Association (SvFF), echoed that optimism. “It feels very good that Graham is coming in as the national team captain for the men’s national team,” Kallstrom said. “We are all aware of the situation we are in, and believe that with his leadership skills, he will bring the team together in a good way. He is tactically skilled at creating conditions to win matches and has an ability to identify players’ strengths and how they interact in the best way.”

Potter’s appointment brings his managerial journey full circle, returning to the country where his career first took off. From 2011 to 2018, he led Ostersund from Sweden’s fourth division to the Allsvenskan, delivering three promotions in four years and even a domestic cup triumph in 2017. Under Potter, Ostersund earned a Europa League spot and famously defeated Arsenal 2-1 at the Emirates in 2018.

His success in Sweden propelled him into English football, where he impressed at Swansea City and Brighton before being handed the Chelsea job in 2022. However, his seven-month stint at Stamford Bridge was turbulent, as inconsistent performances and poor results led to his dismissal. He then took over at West Ham in January 2025, but a difficult start to the new Premier League campaign saw the Hammers lose five of six matches, ending his tenure after just eight months.

Despite those setbacks, Potter’s coaching credentials remain highly regarded, particularly his ability to build cohesive, intelligent teams. With a squad boasting elite-level players like Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyokeres, Potter has the tools to engineer a turnaround if he can quickly instil belief and structure in the Swedish national team.

Potter’s immediate challenge will be restoring confidence in a disjointed Swedish side that has struggled for consistency and creativity in recent months. With two crucial fixtures ahead - away to Switzerland on November 15 and at home to Slovenia three days later - his task is to secure results that keep their playoff dream alive. A minimum of four points could be enough to clinch a Nations League-based route to qualification, depending on other results.

Should Sweden reach the playoffs, Potter’s contract will automatically extend, offering a chance to guide the team into next summer’s World Cup and potentially secure a longer-term deal. For now, though, his focus remains firmly on two defining games that will shape both his comeback and Sweden’s fate. After a turbulent year in English football, Potter has found a new challenge - one that could rewrite his managerial story and revive Sweden’s fading World Cup dream.