Categories: Sports

Sweden appoint ex-Chelsea manager Graham Potter as new coach

Sweden have appointed former Chelsea manager Graham Potter as the national team coach.

Swedish Football Association announced the appointment of Potter via a statement on Monday.

The former West Ham boss’ appointment comes after Jon Dahl Tomasson was sacked last week following three straight losses in World Cup qualifying.

Sweden terminated Tomasson’s contract on October 14 after his team only managed to win a single point in the first four games of the qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup.

The Swedish FA said Potter, who was sacked by Premier League club West Ham in September, would be tasked with turning around a team containing star strikers Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyokeres and attempt to qualify for the finals in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

“The goal is to create the optimal conditions to reach the World Cup in the summer of 2026,” the Swedish FA stated.

The FA said the contract with Potter covered the ongoing qualifying period, with games against Switzerland and Slovenia in November, as well as a potential playoff in March.

Morocco beat Argentina to win first U-20 World Cup

The contract would automatically be extended to the World Cup finals themselves if Sweden qualify.

“I am very humble facing this assignment, but also incredibly inspired. Sweden has fantastic players who deliver week after week in the world’s best leagues,” 50-year-old Potter was quoted saying.

Despite having £125 million ($168 million) Liverpool striker Isak and Arsenal’s £73 million Gyokeres starting together up front, Sweden have failed to even score in their last three matches and sit bottom of Group B.

Potter managed Swedish team Ostersund FK between 2011 and 2018, bringing it up to Sweden’s top league.

He has since managed Swansea City, Brighton and Hove Albion, Chelsea, and West Ham.

He was once regarded as one of English football’s brightest coaching talents but was sacked by Chelsea in April 2023 after the team’s form nosedived.

There then followed a difficult nine-month stay at West Ham.

The Star

Segun Ojo

Recent Posts

UK-Nigerian community leader unveils development partnership agenda for Greater Manchester

The newly elected Chairman of the Nigerian Community Greater Manchester (NCGM), Otunba Dele Bashiru-Kaka, has…

4 hours ago

PFIPC scandal: ADC rejects ICPC report, demands probe of government officials

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has rejected the interim report of the Independent Corrupt Practices…

5 hours ago

Iran: Hormuz shipping deal with Oman near, but key conditions remain

Iran on Saturday said it was close to reaching an agreement with Oman on a…

5 hours ago

Troops rescue kidnapped Edo farmer, kill suspected kidnapper

Troops of the Nigerian Army, working with other security personnel, have rescued a 50-year-old farmer…

5 hours ago

Police report reveals plot to attack Messi during 2026 World Cup

A police report has reportedly uncovered multiple threats against Argentina captain Lionel Messi during the…

6 hours ago

FG supplies Benue with 100 vials of anti-snake venom

The Federal Government has supplied Benue State with 100 vials of Panaf Premium Anti-Snake Venom…

7 hours ago

This website uses cookies.