After Sweden’s disappointing 1-0 defeat to Kosovo left their World Cup qualification hopes in jeopardy, the Scandinavian nation parted ways with manager Jon Dahl Tomasson.

Now, English coach Graham Potter has expressed interest in taking over the national team, describing the opportunity as “fantastic” and signaling a potential return to management.

Sweden Struggles Put World Cup Hopes at Risk

The loss to Kosovo left Sweden at the bottom of their four-team qualifying group, still searching for a first victory in four matches.

Tomasson, who had won just nine of 18 games in charge, reportedly faced mounting criticism from inside his own squad.

Newcastle United star Anthony Elanga, left out of the latest qualifiers, expressed his frustration in the tunnel after the match, telling reporters, “The damn system must go.”

With the head coach dismissed, the Swedish Football Association (SvFF) is now hunting for new leadership to salvage their World Cup campaign.

Potter Steps Forward as a Candidate

Graham Potter, who left West Ham United at the end of September after a difficult start to the Premier League season, is positioning himself as a strong candidate.

Speaking to Swedish outlet Fotbollskanalen, Potter said:

“I’m actually in Sweden right now, in my house. I’m between jobs and just left the Premier League.

I’m open to anything where I feel I can help.

The job as manager of the Swedish national team is fantastic. I’m only 50 and I still have a lot to offer.

It’s about finding a role where I can make a difference and where everyone is on the same page.”

Premier League Challenges Behind Him

Potter’s recent spells at Chelsea and West Ham were challenging.

At West Ham, he oversaw four defeats in the first five Premier League games and a 3-2 Carabao Cup loss to Wolves before being replaced by Nuno Espirito Santo.

Despite these setbacks, Potter emphasizes that he isn’t driven by finances and would consider taking a significant pay cut for the right opportunity.

“I’ve been lucky in my career and am in a good financial position.

That means I don’t have to take a job just for money,” he explained.

Previous Links to Swedish Football

Potter is not unfamiliar with Swedish football.

He spent seven productive years at Östersund from 2011 to 2018 before moving to Swansea, and he was reportedly on the national team’s shortlist after Janne Andersson’s dismissal in 2023.

At the time, he chose to focus on club management but could now be ready for a national team challenge.

SvFF Seeks Fresh Leadership

Following Tomasson’s departure, SvFF chairman Simon Astrom highlighted the team’s struggles and the need for a new approach:

“There is still a chance for a playoff in March, and our responsibility is to provide the best conditions for a World Cup final.

In this regard, we believe new leadership is required.”

Head of the federation Kim Kallstrom added:

“We have a group of players we believe in and want to create new opportunities for them.

Jon has been professional, but football is results-based, and we have reached a point where results are not enough.”

Sweden’s Squad and World Cup Chances

Despite recent setbacks, Sweden possesses a talented squad, including Premier League stars Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyokeres, collectively valued at nearly £200 million.

The team has scored only twice in four qualifiers while conceding seven goals, making the upcoming playoffs crucial for their World Cup aspirations.