Englishman Graham Potter, who actually speaks Swedish after several years in the country, takes over as Sweden’s new national team manager after Danish Jon Dahl Tomasson who has been a disaster.
Graham Potter is both humbled and enthusiastic about his new and very difficult role: “I am very humbled by the assignment, but at the same time incredibly inspired. Sweden has fantastic players who perform weekly in the world’s best leagues. My task will be to create the conditions for us as a team to perform at the top level and qualify Sweden for the World Cup next summer”
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Graham Potter, like Sweden, has been on a desert trek in recent years, the 50-year-old has had very well-paid jobs at big clubs with poor results. The hope is that they can both be revitalized. It’s been a long time since he impressed as manager of Brighton.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was of course linked to the vacant job as Swedish national team coach, but within a short time we noticed it was a former successful coach at Brighton, then a few tragic months at Chelsea, the same at West Ham. Graham Potter went out early and announced his candidacy, on Monday the confirmation came.
Sweden is in a difficult qualifying situation with only one point from four games, and must go to the playoffs next spring to secure a World Cup ticket.
Potter was sacked as manager of West Ham in the Premier League earlier this autumn. After Tomasson left Sweden’s national team, Potter clearly showed interest in the position.
“I have special feelings for Sweden. I love the country and Swedish football, and I have a lot to be grateful for towards Swedish football. So yes, this would be a fantastic opportunity for me,” Potter told Fotbollskanalen earlier.
It was precisely in Sweden that Potter established his reputation as a coach. He led Östersund to a surprising cup gold and later led the team to impressive results in the Europa League, which laid the foundation for his international career.
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