Graham Potter throws hat in ring for immediate management return as job becomes vacant

Graham Potter throws hat in ring for immediate management return as job becomes vacant

Graham Potter says he would be open to managing the Swedish national team after the sacking of Jon Dahl Tomasson.

Tomasson was shown the door just 18 months into his stint in charge after a humiliating 1-0 defeat to Kosovo on Monday, which all-but ended Sweden's hopes of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup.

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The result leaves them bottom of Group B, with just a point from four games, and six points off a play-off spot.

After drawing their opener with Slovenia last month, the Swedes have lost their three games since, twice against Kosovo and once against favourites Switzerland.

And the latest of these defeats proved the final straw for Tomasson, as he was given his marching orders less than 24 hours later.

Potter is keen

It remains to be seen who will succeed Tomasson but former Brighton, Chelsea and West Ham boss Potter would be interested in the role.

Potter first made his name in management with Swedish club Ostersunds, who he guided from the fourth to the first division. They also made it to the Europa League last 32 under his tutelage.

He told Swedish outlet Fotbolskanalen: "I’m open to anything where I feel I can help.

"The job as (manager) for the Swedish national team is fantastic. I have feelings for Sweden. I love the country and I love Swedish football.

"I have a lot to be grateful towards Swedish football."

Potter continued: "I’m in a very good position financially. It’s gotten to the point where I don’t have to consider finances as a reason to take a job or not."

Graham Potter as Ostersunds boss
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Could Potter be on his way back to where his management career began?Credit: Getty

Contenders

With Sweden now scrambling to find a replacement for Tomasson, Swedish journalist Olof Lundh has named both ex-Villa defender Olof Mellberg, and Potter as potential candidates.

Discussing who could replace Tomasson, Lundh told talkSPORT: “I think there's an outside chance of Olof Mellberg, the former Aston Villa defender.

"I think also Graham Potter, who started his career in Sweden - he's out of a job. 

“And there are some others, Peter Gerhardsson, who took care of the women for a while and was actually really successful, he just left the women's national team.

“So there are some coaches out there who are without a job. And I think they're going for like a short-term solution.

"Do the games in November, take the play-offs. And if you take Sweden, you'll get a big pay-off and you can take Sweden to North America this summer. And then we'll look into what we do after that.”

Aston Villa defender Olof Mellberg
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Mellberg represented Villa between 2001-08Credit: Getty

Mellberg last managed MLS side St Louis City. He was at the wheel for just six months before being sacked in May.

Potter, meanwhile, is currently out of a job having been dismissed by West Ham in September following a difficult nine-month spell in charge.

When asked about Potter's potential appointment, Lundh said: “It would be interesting.

"Even though the Swedish Federation doesn't pay that well, he's made a couple of sacks of money from pay-offs from Chelsea and West Ham. 

“He doesn't need the money, but he needs a job, and maybe a short-term job where if he could make a mark with Sweden, suddenly his stock would be worth more.”

Graham Potter as West Ham boss
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Potter has been out of work a matter of weeks having been sacked as West Ham boss on September 27Credit: AFP

'Not good enough'

Sweden's dismal form is despite their eye-watering front line, which features Liverpool's Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyokeres of Arsenal. 

Their failure to get the best out of their £193.5million attack in the Kosovo loss infuriated Tomasson, who launched a scathing attack on the pair afterwards.

The 49-year-old raged: "It's not good enough and it's a terrible result.

"It really hurts, we forgot how to score goals and I don't know why."

On Monday night, Sweden managed just four shots on target, despite trying to bolster their attack by bringing on Nottingham Forest star Anthony Elanga for Tottenham Hotspur's Lucas Bergvall.

It was a particularly frustrating night for British record transfer Isak, who had the fewest touches of any player on the pitch with 31.

And on Tuesday, the Swedish Football Association decided enough was enough, as they announced Tomasson's dismissal.

Isak has failed to find the net in any of Sweden's 2026 World Cup qualifiers
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Isak has failed to find the net in any of Sweden's 2026 World Cup qualifiersCredit: Getty
His strike partner Gyokeres has scored just once in qualifying
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His strike partner Gyokeres has scored just once in qualifyingCredit: AFP

Chairman Simon Astrom said in a statement: “The decision made by the association board is based on the fact that the men’s national team has not delivered the results we hoped for.

“There is still a chance of a playoff in March and our responsibility is to ensure that we have as optimal conditions as possible to be able to reach a World Cup playoff.

"In this, we assess that a new leadership is required in the form of a new coach.”

Tomasson was appointed Sweden boss in February last year but managed just nine wins in 18 games.

His former side now need to beat Switzerland and Slovenia next month and overhaul a -4 goal difference to have any chance of a top-two finish in their World Cup qualifying group.

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