After a point in four matches in the World Championship qualification, the historic decision was made to fire the national team captain Jon Dahl Tomasson.
With just over three weeks left until the next national team squad is selected, the search for a new national team captain has begun. According to football manager Kim Källström, the Swedish Football Association (SvFF) is working from three scenarios: a temporary solution during the autumn, a coach who leads the team throughout the World Championship qualification or a permanent solution directly.
From where we stand today, all scenarios are open and playable. In a perfect world, you always want long-term solutions, but at the same time, we stand where we stand, says Källström
”Fantastic opportunity”
One of the candidates mentioned is the Englishman Graham Potter, who previously had great successes in Östersund. Since the move back to England in 2018, he has led, among other things, Chelsea and West Ham.
To TV4 Football Channel, Potter has expressed his interest in the job as Swedish national team captain.
It would be a fantastic opportunity for me, of course, he said.
Källström does not want to comment on Potter further, but admits that he has high thoughts about the Englishman.
I think we all know that Graham is a very fine and pleasant person, and a very competent football coach. More than that, I do not want to say, says Källström.
”Relate to everything”
If Potter were to get the job, it would be Sweden's second consecutive foreign national team captain.
During Jon Dahl Tomasson's last two matches, banners were shown at both Strawberry Arena and Ullevi with the text ”danskjävel”. Källström calls the criticism ”completely unacceptable” and does not rule out another foreign coach.
It is clear that for us, it is a possible way to have a foreign national team captain. At the same time, we have seen the reactions, and we try to relate to everything. Then we have to make a comprehensive assessment of the situation. As we mentioned earlier, it's about finding the right person who can lead us.
