Graham Potter is set to be appointed as the new manager of Sweden – just three weeks after being sacked by West Ham.
According to multiple reports, the former Chelsea boss is in the process of finalising a short-term contract until next March and has been given one task: qualify for the 2026 World Cup.
Sweden’s national team features several blockbuster names including Arsenal striker Viktor Gyokeres, Newcastle winger Anthony Elanga and Liverpool’s No.9 Alexander Isak – the most expensive player in British football.
Yet, their qualifying campaign has been a disaster, with Jon Dahl Tomasson picking up just one point from four games before he was sacked on Tuesday.
As a result, the Scandinavian nation need a miracle if they wish to take part in next summer’s tournament in North America.
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More specifically. they need to win their last two games against Switzerland and Slovenia in November and pray that Kosovo lose their last two fixtures – and even then, that only gets them to next March’s play-offs.
In order to achieve this magical comeback, the Swedish Football Association has turned to Potter, who has a strong connection to the country and is fluent in their language.
The Englishman spent seven years in charge of Ostersund, remarkably taking the club from the four-tier of Swedish football to the Europa League.
He earned more plaudits at Swansea and Brighton and was even tipped as a future England manager, but disastrous spells at Chelsea and West Ham have seen his stock fall dramatically.
The 50-year-old won just six of his 25 games as Irons boss before he was sacked in September and replaced by Nuno Espirito Santo.
Potter has been looking to make a swift return to the dugout and was linked with both Manchester United and Rangers, even interviewing for the Scottish club.
Shortly after Tomasson was dismissed, he expressed interest in the Sweden job, with his contract almost certain to be extended if he succeeds in qualifying the Blue and Yellow for their first major tournament since Euro 2020.
If Sweden don’t finish second in their qualifying group, not all hope is lost as they could still get a play-off spot thanks to their earlier performance in the Nations League.
The four best Nations League group winners, who have not already automatically qualified for the World Cup or the play-offs, will get a place in the March games. Sweden were the 10th-best group winner, so will need some help from a least six other teams.
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