Former Chelsea and West Ham manager Graham Potter has been appointed as the new Sweden head coach on an unusual short-term contract until March 2026, with an extension dependent on the team securing a play-off spot for the North American World Cup.
Graham Potter has been appointed as Sweden’s new head coach, the country’s FA confirmed yesterday, taking over on a short-term basis with a highly unusual contract structure. The 50-year-old, who was axed by West Ham United just weeks ago, has signed a deal that runs only until March 2026.
The agreement includes a performance-based extension clause: the contract will be prolonged if Potter guides the Scandinavian nation to a play-off place for the North American World Cup. He replaces Jon Dahl Tomasson, who was sacked last week following a humiliating home defeat to Kosovo, leaving the side rock bottom of their qualifying group with only one solitary point.
Potter returns to Sweden, where he built his reputation managing Östersunds FK, to take charge of a struggling squad that includes Premier League stars like Alexander Isak and Victor Lindelöf.
Upon his appointment, Potter expressed his enthusiasm for the challenge, stating: “I am very humble about the assignment, but also inspired. Sweden has fantastic players who deliver in the best leagues every 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.”
Potter will manage his first games early next month, overseeing Sweden’s final two qualifiers.
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