From Last-Chance Saloon to World Cup Redemption for Potter
Sacked by West Ham and Chelsea before that, Graham Potter answered the doubters as Sweden thrashed Tunisia 5-1 to open their World Cup. "You never know how things are going to go," he said.
W hen Graham Potter turned up to Sweden training last week in a Stetson, it was a bit of fun to mark the World Cup mood in Texas. Some might have joked the cowboy hat suited a manager who looked to be in last-chance saloon after back-to-back sackings. At Estadio Monterrey, his side answered with a statement, tearing Tunisia apart 5-1 in their Group F opener.
Doubters answered
Potter was dismissed by West Ham in September, having failed at Chelsea before that, two short spells lasting a combined 15 months. Few would have expected him to steer a nation to a winning World Cup start. "You never know, that is the truth," he said after the win. "We were optimistic because we felt confident in the work. But until the game is played you do not know for sure. That is the beauty of sport. We are delighted with how we performed and it is a great start."
A campaign rebuilt
The five goals against Tunisia were more than the four Sweden managed in their entire qualifying group, largely overseen by Potter’s predecessor Jon Dahl Tomasson. Under the Dane, automatic qualification slipped away, and after his dismissal Potter was appointed in October with the damage already done. Sweden finished bottom of their group behind Switzerland, Kosovo and Slovenia, without a win in six games.
The play-off route
They reached the play-offs through their UEFA Nations League ranking, then beat Ukraine and Poland to book their place at the finals. Potter, who has since extended his contract with Sweden until 2030, now has his side believing they can reach the knockout rounds.
Reporting: based on reporting by BBC Sport (Chris McKenna), with verification from ESPN and FIFA, June 15, 2026.