Potter's seven miracle years in Östersund from 2011 to 2018 are well documented. They show how he led the Jämtland team up to the Allsvenskan and into Europe, to the Europa League, where ÖFK notably defeated Arsenal.
That he would one day be captain of the Swedish national team was not on his mind at the time.
It's a bit like a dream when I think back on it. We started in the Swedish fourth division, which is quite far down. And to now be sitting here is of course quite incredible. I'm forever grateful for the time in Sweden, says Graham Potter.
Want to inspire all of Sweden
It's the day before Sweden's second World Cup match. The Netherlands, tipped as favorites, await in Houston on Midsummer's Day, but it's Blågult who top the group after the first round. The 5–1 win against Tunisia in Monterrey (the Netherlands played 2–2 against Japan) impressed.
Potter, tanned and seemingly very relaxed, knows what such successes can mean.
With a national team you are part of something bigger than yourself. You are part of a team that can inspire a whole nation, that can get kids to start playing football and get people united around something. It is something special. My own first football memories are connected to watching the World Cup, so to be part of that story is fantastic.
During his time in Östersund, he recruited players by selling them a seemingly unattainable dream of what the team could achieve. “The crazy thing was that everything came true,” Swedish World Cup player Ken Sema recounted.
“They will have memories for a lifetime”
What dream have you sold to this national team?
"We don't have time to dream right now," says Potter.
We went into a very tough playoff week (wins against Ukraine and Poland gave Sweden a World Cup spot) and handled it incredibly well. It gave us confidence as a team, but we also know we have to get better. So it's not so much about dreaming right now, more about how we can develop as a team. Because we have to get even better if we are going to be able to have any joy from the match against Tunisia.
Speaking of dreams, Graham Potter has his family there during the World Cup and sees up close how the tournament captivates his three sons, the 11-year-old twins and their 16-year-old older brother.
They are at an age where everything is amazing. It's wonderful to see how they take it all in. They loved Monterrey and they loved the game there. They are making memories for life here.
Sweden–Netherlands kick off at 7 p.m. local time in Sweden.
