Former Chelsea and Brighton manager Graham Potter has been appointed as the new head coach of the Swedish national team, replacing Jon Dahl Tomasson, who was dismissed following Sweden’s shock 0–1 home defeat to Kosovo.
Graham Potter är herrlandslagets nya förbundskapten 🇸🇪
— Svensk Fotboll (@svenskfotboll) October 20, 2025
🗞️ https://t.co/Xevu92RlZG pic.twitter.com/0zHiSg2o1X
The Swedish Football Association confirmed the appointment on Monday morning, bringing Potter back to familiar territory, the Englishman previously managed in Sweden with Östersunds FK, where he enjoyed notable domestic and European success.
Potter, 50, has signed a short-term deal that runs through Sweden’s potential World Cup playoff matches next March. The contract will automatically extend if Sweden secures qualification for next summer’s tournament.
“I am very honoured by the task, but also incredibly inspired,” Potter said in a statement.
“Sweden has fantastic players who perform in the world’s top leagues week after week. My task will be to create the right conditions so that we can perform at the highest level and lead Sweden to the World Cup next summer.”
The appointment marks Potter’s first managerial role since leaving Chelsea in 2023. During his time in the Premier League, he also managed Brighton & Hove Albion, where he earned widespread praise for his progressive style, and briefly worked at West Ham United.
Potter inherits a Swedish side in crisis after a dismal qualifying campaign. Under Tomasson, the team collected just one point from four matches, leaving them six points adrift of second place with only two games remaining.
Sweden’s hopes of reaching the 2026 World Cup now depend on a dramatic turnaround, and Potter’s ability to quickly galvanise a squad that has struggled for both form and confidence.
His first task will be to assemble the national team ahead of their next qualifiers in November, as Sweden look to reignite their faltering campaign under new leadership.
