Graham Potter ‘turns down approach to become Sweden head coach’… with the former Brighton and Chelsea boss targeting a return to club management
- Graham Potter was on the first shortlist to become boss of the Swedish national team
- Potter remains highly respected in Sweden for his time in charge of Östersunds
- Trent and Bellingham can play together, but not get in each other’s way – IAKO
Graham Potter has reportedly rejected an approach from the Swedish Football Association in the search for a successor to outgoing head coach Janne Andersson.
The Swedish FA confirmed in October that Andersson would leave the role after the country failed to qualify for Euro 2024 in Germany.
Andersson remained in charge through the final two qualifying matches as the recruitment process began, with the head coach leaving the role with a 2-0 win over Estonia on Sunday.
Swedish FA secretary general Andrea Mollerberg confirmed last month that former Brighton and Chelsea boss Potter was among the names on their shortlist.
According to the Swedish newspaper AftonbladetPotter turned down the opportunity to be considered for the national team position.
Graham Potter has reportedly rejected an approach from the Swedish Football Association
Sweden is looking for a new manager, with Janne Andersson leaving the national team role
The Swedish team ended qualifying with a win, but failed to qualify for Euro 2024
The 48-year-old Potter reportedly indicated that his preference is for a return to club management.
He previously had a successful spell at Swedish side Ostersunds and was the club’s manager from 2011 to 2018.
Potter turned heads when he led Ostersunds to three promotions in five years and the Swedish Cup in 2017 before embarking on a memorable run in the Europa League.
Ostersund’s run was ended in the knockout stages by Arsenal, despite the Swedish side securing a 2-1 victory over the Gunners in the Emirates.
Potter moved to Swansea after his success at Ostersunds, before impressively taking charge of Brighton.
He remains unemployed after an ill-fated spell in charge of Chelsea, having been sacked in April after less than seven months in the post.
Reports in Sweden have suggested that Hacken’s manager Per-Mathias Hogmo is a leading contender to succeed Andersson.
Potter remains highly respected in Sweden for his impressive spell in charge of Östersunds
An emotional Andersson resigned as Sweden’s national coach on Sunday with a 2-0 win over Estonia
Sweden will look to bounce back after failing to qualify for two consecutive major men’s tournaments for the first time since 1980, having also missed the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Andersson’s side had finished third in the Euro 2024 qualifying group with 10 points, finishing 10 points behind winners Belgium and nine behind runners-up Austria.
The 61-year-old, who led Sweden to the 2018 World Cup and the 2020 European Championship, received tributes on Sunday as his seven-year reign came to an end.
Tributes were also paid to the victims of the terrorist attack in October, when Swedish fans were targeted by a gunman in Brussels.