Graham Potter has come to understand that in management, evading failure is an exercise in futility. The 51-year-old coach reflects on his tumultuous experiences at both Chelsea and West Ham, stating, “You’ve got to face the bad stuff.” He emphasizes that grappling with adversity enriches one’s life journey, often leading to moments of unexpected beauty.
In an open conversation, Potter candidly shares the peaks and valleys of his recent career, recognizing both the obstacles and triumphs he has encountered. After steering Sweden to the World Cup, he is mindful that critics often highlight failures. Following a brief tenure at Chelsea, which lasted a mere seven months, Potter took a step back before accepting West Ham’s approach at the start of the previous year.
However, his stint at West Ham was plagued by instability, resulting in just six victories out of 25 matches. After a troubling commencement to his first full season, he found himself at a critical crossroads after being let go last September. Confronted with uncertainty, Potter realized he needed to reevaluate his career trajectory.
“I have had enough life experience to be able to put all these things into perspective,” he shares. “I’m grateful for all the experiences I have had, both good and bad. Ultimately, you have to manage what life presents you with.” After departing from West Ham, Potter faced a choice: return to media or continue his coaching career.
Then, an opportunity emerged with Sweden, who were struggling in their World Cup qualifying group and required a replacement for Jon Dahl Tomasson. However, before making that leap, Potter needed to reflect on his recent experiences and sought guidance from those closest to him.
“You have to deal with the failure,” Potter explains. “But I think you become a better person for it. And then sometimes in football you just can’t rationalise it. You just go: ‘Maybe it wasn’t meant to be.’ Then you try to move on with your life.”
Potter has learned to disregard external judgments. He asserts, “If I dwell on how people perceive me, that’s a miserable existence.” Recognizing the importance of the moment, he accepted the role of Sweden’s manager on a short-term basis in October. While Sweden grappled with their qualifying group, they earned a lifeline through their Nations League performances.
The atmosphere shifted dramatically as Sweden approached the playoffs in March. They showcased poise and talent, with Viktor Gyökeres netting a hat trick in the semi-final triumph over Ukraine and scoring the decisive goal in the final against Poland.
“You can go onto YouTube and listen to the Swedish commentary of the game; I revisited it a couple of months later and it’s the emotion in the voice,” Potter reflects. “When Viktor scores, it feels like an out-of-body experience. All our substitutes are sprinting onto the pitch. There are 15 players on the field, and I’m thinking: ‘That’s yellow cards, that’s a problem.’ But it’s a World Cup, so all the rules are thrown out the window.”
Potter has now extended his contract until 2030, signifying a profound bond with Sweden. He is no stranger to the nation, having previously established his reputation at Östersund, where he led the club from the lower leagues to the Europa League.
“I feel very Swedish when I’m working,” he confesses. “I look somewhat Swedish. Two of my children were born in Sweden.”
He finds immense meaning in international football, stating, “You’re aware with the national team that you’re contributing to something larger than yourself. It’s a significant endeavor. You can sense the intensity. That’s what makes it beautiful.”
Shifting to international management has presented challenges for Potter, especially considering his meticulous coaching approach. He acknowledges that preparation time is scarce, noting, “You haven’t got the time to develop ideas. The mistake you could make is to form all these strategies during the camp in November in anticipation of the camp in March, devising tactical plans to defeat Ukraine, only to realize you have two days to prepare for a match. You don’t want it to be overly complex.”
Following the playoffs, Potter faced difficult conversations with players who did not make the World Cup squad. Fostering team unity is essential to him. “Even if you play 11 v 11 in a training session, four players are sitting on the sidelines,” he observes. “That’s not simple. You want the group to be aligned.”
Sweden is currently engaged in a training camp in Stockholm before heading to Texas for the World Cup. With a legacy to uphold after their impressive third-place finish in 1994, Potter is aware that the journey will be challenging in Group F, which features Japan, the Netherlands, and Tunisia.
As Sweden gears up to face Tunisia on June 14 in Monterrey, managing the heat will be vital. Potter anticipates that matches will be slower-paced, highlighting the significance of set pieces.
“You can see the evolution of the game,” he remarks. “In tournament football, you know the pressure is immense, so it’s less feasible to play expansively. Matches tighten up. It’s a strategy to create opportunities, so I believe teams will emphasize it significantly.”
Despite the absence of the injured Dejan Kulusevski, Sweden possesses additional offensive threats. The striking partnership of Alexander Isak and Gyökeres poses a considerable challenge for opposing teams. Although Gyökeres faced scrutiny during his initial season at Arsenal, Potter underscores his contributions.
“It’s a prime example of the modern era,” he asserts. “From our perspective, he was instrumental in getting us to the World Cup, so his influence is remarkable. From Arsenal’s view, he has contributed to the team, scored goals, and helped them win the Premier League and reach the Champions League final. You can see the effort he puts in. He’s had an outstanding season.”
Isak’s journey has been more intricate since his transfer from Newcastle to Liverpool last summer. Struggling with form and fitness after a broken leg, he has faced obstacles in adapting to his new surroundings.
“It hasn’t unfolded as positively as he would have liked,” Potter comments regarding Isak’s inaugural season at Anfield. “We sometimes assume that signing a player will enhance everything. I’ve experienced that – it’s not always the case.”
Potter reminisces about Isak’s debut with AIK against Östersund, where he learned a valuable lesson after the young player scored against his team. “We were quite pleased before the match because the center-forward wasn’t playing, and a 16-year-old kid was taking his place,” he chuckles. “Then he scored, we lost 2-0, and I learned my lesson.”
A flicker of hope emerged for Potter when Isak scored a spectacular goal in Sweden’s recent match against Norway. He is eager to see Gyökeres and Isak collaborate on the field. “They have different styles, which is beneficial for us. We haven’t played them together yet, so that’s an exciting prospect for development.”
Anticipation is mounting for Potter as he engages with former Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic. He contemplates the trend of club managers making the transition to international roles. “I’ve conversed with individuals who have navigated both paths, and many have said that tournaments provide the most exhilarating experience in football,” he shares. “With the national team, you feel like you’re part of something more meaningful.”
Potter is thriving despite the setbacks at West Ham, which could not prevent relegation. He stands on the verge of a World Cup adventure, recalling his childhood memories of watching Diego Maradona in 1986. “To have the opportunity to work in that environment is simply a dream,” he concludes.
