Graham Potter has been appointed as the new head coach of the Sweden national team, embarking on a crucial mission to guide the country to the 2026 World Cup. The former Chelsea and West Ham manager takes over the reins on an initial short-term contract, tasked with reviving Sweden’s flagging qualification campaign and steering them through potential playoffs. The announcement was made by the Swedish Football Association (SvFF) on Monday, October 20, 2025.
A Critical Juncture for Swedish Football
Potter steps into a challenging situation, with Sweden currently languishing at the bottom of their World Cup qualifying group, having accumulated only one point from their opening four matches. This dismal performance led to the recent sacking of the previous coach, Jon Dahl Tomasson, who was dismissed after a series of disappointing results, including a crucial home defeat to Kosovo. The Swedish FA has expressed its ambition to reach the World Cup next summer, emphasizing that all recent decisions have been made to optimize the team’s chances of achieving this goal.
Potter’s Return to Swedish Soil
This appointment marks a significant return to Swedish football for Potter, who previously managed the unheralded club Östersund from 2011 to 2018. During his seven-year tenure, he orchestrated a remarkable rise for Östersund, guiding them from the fourth tier of Swedish football to the top division and securing a Swedish Cup title, which earned them a spot in the Europa League. His success in Scandinavia laid the foundation for his subsequent coaching roles in England, including spells at Swansea City, Brighton & Hove Albion, Chelsea, and most recently, West Ham United.
A Mission Focused on Immediate Success
Potter’s immediate objective is clear: to secure World Cup qualification. The 50-year-old Englishman has emphasized that his focus is not on long-term building or philosophical changes, but on winning games to achieve the ultimate goal. “For me, it’s very simple — there’s no talk of building or changing or philosophy or anything like this. It’s just to win games to get to the World Cup,” Potter stated. His contract is set to cover the final two qualifiers in November, potential playoffs in March, and would be automatically extended through the World Cup finals should Sweden secure a spot.
Squad Strengths and Challenges
Sweden boasts a squad filled with talent from top European leagues, including Premier League stars like Liverpool’s Alexander Isak and Arsenal’s Viktor Gyökeres, as well as Tottenham’s Lucas Bergvall and Newcastle winger Anthony Elanga. Despite this wealth of talent, the team has underperformed significantly in their qualification campaign. Potter expressed his inspiration from Sweden’s talented players, stating, “Sweden has fantastic players who week-on-week deliver in the world’s best leagues… 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”.
A New Chapter in International Management
This appointment marks Potter’s first foray into international management after a varied career in club football. The Swedish FA chairman, Simon Åström, described Potter as “a strong and experienced leader who has been tested at the absolute highest level”. Football Director Kim Källström highlighted Potter’s tactical acumen and ability to foster team cohesion. With a deep personal connection to Sweden, where two of his children were born, Potter approaches this new challenge with both humility and inspiration, aiming to unite the squad and achieve the elusive dream of World Cup qualification. The news of Potter’s appointment has generated significant interest, making it a trending topic in the football world.
