Graham Potter has been appointed as Sweden’s new head coach on a rather unusual short-term basis, the country’s FA confirmed.
Rumours of the Englishman’s imminent return to management began to swirl when the yellow-and-blues parted ways with Jon Dahl Tomasson last week.
The former Denmark striker, who had been widely unpopular with Swedish fans during his final weeks in charge, was dismissed as the nation’s boss after a humiliating home defeat to Kosovo.
Potter later expressed his desire to manage Sweden, where he made his name as a manager, admitting that it would be a ‘fantastic’ job.
And his appointment was confirmed on Sunday evening following talks, with Potter set to take over the Scandinavian nation on a deal until just March 2026.
The 50-year-old will take charge of his new side’s final two qualifiers early next month, with his contract set to be extended if Sweden secure a play-off place for the North American World Cup.
Graham Potter has been appointed as Sweden’s manager on a short-term basis until March 2026
He takes over an unperforming Swedish side who sit rock bottom of their World Cup qualifying group
Jon Dahl Tomasson was dismissed last week after a 1-0 home loss to European minnows Kosovo
Upon his appointment, Potter said: ‘I am very humble about the assignment, but also inspired.
‘Sweden has fantastic players who deliver in the best leagues every week. 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.’
Potter takes over a Sweden side including Premier League stars Alexander Isak, Viktor Gyokeres, Victor Lindelof, Anthony Elanga and Lucas Bergvall which has unperformed this year.
Back-to-back losses against Kosovo and a 2-0 defeat at home against Switzerland leave them bottom of their qualifying campaign with just a solitary point.
Neither Isak or Gyokeres have registered a single goal in any of Sweden’s four qualifying games, with Tomasson admitting his side had ‘forgot’ how to score following his final game in charge.
Potter’s appointment sees him return to Sweden seven years after leaving the country for the English game.
He had enjoyed seven hugely successful years as manager of Ostersunds FK, leading the club from the fourth tier of Swedish football to the top flight.
He went on to manage to Swansea City, Brighton and later Chelsea in the Premier League before a dire spell at West Ham United this year.
Potter was sacked by West Ham after a difficult period in charge of the east London club
The Hammers parted ways with the 50-year-old late last month after a disappointing start to the season, with the London club losing four of their opening five Premier League games.
Potter, who also oversaw West Ham’s 3-2 defeat by Wolves in the Carabao Cup, was replaced by former Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo.
The Portuguese has however failed to win either of his first two games at the helm, leaving West Ham languishing in 19th position.
They host Brentford this evening at the London Stadium Stadium.
