Graham Potter shocked football fans as he revealed his talent for languages at his Sweden unveiling on Monday afternoon.
The West Ham boss has been appointed on an unusual contract ahead of looming World Cup qualifiers in a bid to reverse the downturn the team had been experiencing under former manager Jon Dahl Tomasson.
The Danish head coach was sacked last Monday, after winning just nine of his 18 matches in charge of the side, and seeing out a final 1-0 defeat to Kosovo at the end of the international break.
Potter was similarly despatched on the heels of a disappointing start to the season at the London Stadium last month.
But rather than take a prolonged absence from the dugout as he did following his 2023 Chelsea sacking, Potter appeared to be openly advocating for the Sweden role in the days after Tomasson’s dismissal.
When handed his new role on Monday, Potter appeared – at least at first – to be a perfect fit for the role, as he vowed football fans with his fluent command of Swedish during his maiden press conference.
Graham Potter impressed fans by speaking fluent Swedish upon being unveiled as their coach
The former West Ham manager replaces ex-head coach Jon Dahl Tomasson in the dugout
Having honed his aptitude for the language during his seven years at Swedish side Ostersund, Potter was confident speaking at length about his thoughts on the national team’s playing identity.
‘From my experience of Swedish football, my respect for Swedish football and what I’ve learned from Swedish football is that the collective is the most important thing,’ Potter told the assembled press pack.
‘It’s always about a balance in the team. Our job will be to try to help the team attack and defend well in a balanced way. Use the quality of the players we have, we clearly got some top players.
‘But football isn’t about the eleven best, it’s the best eleven and we have to think about that.’
Potter will take charge of the side on an initial contract lasting until March 2026 as Sweden fight to lift themselves off the bottom of their qualifying group.
His contract will then be extended if he manages to navigate their final two qualifying matches to win a play-off spot and a shot at taking part in the North American World Cup next summer.
‘I am very humbled by the assignment, but also incredibly inspired,’ Potter told the Swedish FA website. ‘Sweden has fantastic players who deliver in the world’s best leagues during the 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.’
Swedish FA football director Kim Kallstrom added: ‘It feels very good that Graham is coming in as the national coach for the men’s national team.
‘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.’
