The enormous achievement of turning a shabby and misguided bunch of players into a winning unit in such a short time, and of struggling to reach the World Cup via the playoffs, is the Englishman's greatest achievement as a coach.
Ahead of the qualifying final against Poland - 3-2 (2-1) - he said:
I wouldn't trade this for anything else. I'm so happy and proud to be here. It's an incredible chance to play for a World Cup ticket, against a very good team in front of a packed stadium, in a very passionate and proud footballing country.
He would never have been here if West Ham had not fired him and the Football Association had not gone against all its principles by firing a national team coach for the first time.
Discontent smoldered
After the 0-2 loss against Kosovo in Pristina in September, dissatisfaction with Jon Dahl Tomasson began to simmer.
Football manager Kim Källström emphasized that confidence in the Dane was unwavering, but he also noted that the start of the qualifiers - one point in two games - did not match expectations.
There was no improvement. A home defeat against Switzerland, after which the national team was booed at Ullevi. A 0-1 loss to Kosovo meant it was no longer possible to cover up a monumental failure.
Less than a day later, Tomasson's time as national team coach was over.
"There is still a chance for a playoff in March and our responsibility is to ensure that we have the best possible conditions to reach a World Cup final. In this regard, we believe that new leadership is required," said association chairman Simon Åström.
Six days later, Potter was contracted until a possible World Cup.
He was familiar to all Swedes with a serious interest in football after his sensational rise with Östersund. Seven years there brought recognition back home in England.
“Clear the skulls”
Swansea, Brighton, Chelsea and West Ham were managed - with mixed success - by the down-to-earth, pragmatic football manager who appreciates literature, music and theatre.
Some of his first words when he took over as national coach:
It's not about building a game system or a philosophy. We have to come up with something that uses the players' qualities and helps the players clear their heads and perform as well as possible.
The declaration of love for Sweden sounded genuine.
When I think back to that time (in Sweden), it was an incredible time in my life. It was my home, my twin children were born in Sweden and I have many friends here. I love this place.
And quite a few people probably also love Graham Potter. He is the one who can actually cast spells.
