Graham Potter is unlikely to be taking charge of Rangers – despite speculation linking him with the Scottish Premiership giants – but there is another job which appeals to the former West Ham United manager.
A job which, as of Tuesday afternoon, became available.
Ex-West Ham United goalkeeper Joe Hart highlighted the rapid turnover of managers in the modern game a few days ago. Nuno Espirito Santo took charge at the London Stadium just weeks after leaving Nottingham Forest.
And, in his place at the City Ground, came Ange Postecoglou, fresh from his sacking by Tottenham Hotspur.
While the likes of Sam Allardyce had issues with Nuno’s appointment – the timing of it, rather than anything to do with the 51-year-old Portuguese himself – the Hammers were in no mood to mess around once Potter’s position became untenable and with relegation feeling like a very real possibility only six games in.
As for Graham Potter, could he – like Nuno and Postecoglou – make an immediate return to management?
Speaking to Fotbollskanalen, a man who made his name with Ostersunds is far from ruling himself out of contention for the Swedish national team job.
Graham Potter ‘open’ to Sweden job after West Ham United sacking
Potter is currently back in Sweden, taking a break after his eight-month spell at West Ham came to an abrupt but somehow still overdue end.
Yet, after the sacking of Jon Dahl Tommasson on the back of Monday’s 1-0 home defeat by Kosovo, Potter admits he would be open to talks with the Swedish FA.
“I just heard the news [about Dahl Tomasson]. It’s sad, of course. For Swedish football and ‘JDT’, the one-time Chelsea and Brighton coach said.
“I’m actually in Sweden right now, in my house in Sweden. I’m between jobs and just left the Premier League. I’m open to anything, really, where I feel I can help. The job as national team captain for the Swedish national team is fantastic.
“I have feelings for Sweden. I love the country and I love Swedish football. I have a lot to be grateful for towards Swedish football.
“So yes, it would be a fantastic opportunity for me. Of course.”
Potter is a legend at Swedish outfit Ostersunds
Potter famously took Ostersunds from the fourth-tier of Swedish football all the way into the Europa League, beating Arsenal in the process.
While his reputation has taken hit after hit in England over the last few years – that disastrous Chelsea spell preceding his West Ham misery – the Solihull-born tactician still has a lot of fans in Scandinavia.
“I’m in a position where the next thing I take on should be something that I really believe in,” Potter adds. “I should feel like I can help and that I have support. I’m open to anything.
“I’ve gained a lot of experience so far and I’m very grateful for the career I’ve had so far, but I’m only 50 years old and I still have a lot to offer. It’s not about me finding a job at a specific level, but about finding something where I feel I can help and where I can make a difference.”
In what could be construed as a slight dig at those behind the scenes at West Ham, Potter insisted that one of the main things he will be looking for in his next job is an environment where everyone is pulling together in the same direction.
Did Potter aim a dig at Karren Brady and David Sullivan?
Vice-chair Karren Brady hinted at issues regarding the transfer strategy back in August. The board, she said, could not simply ‘go out and buy players the manager and Kyle [Macaulay, former head of recruitment] don’t want’.
Hammers News can confirm that owner David Sullivan had doubts about Graham Potter when firing him in the first place, back in January. Hardly a great environment in which to work, then, even if the 50-year-old himself is far from blameless for how things turned out.
“I also want to feel that we [those involved] are on the same page. Those are my criteria,” Potter now says.
“I have no expectations [that the Swedish FA will call me]. I’m sure they will do their job and see what’s best for Swedish football. From the outside, I wish them all the best because I have enormous respect for Sweden and Swedish football.
“I’ve worked in the country for seven years and spent a lot of time in different parts of the country. Sweden has played a huge, huge role in my career. And in my life. I am forever grateful for that.
“I’m open to anything right now. I’m looking forward to the next challenge.”
Rangers were linked with Potter recently too, but appear to be looking in another direction.
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