After the home defeat against Kosovo in October, the Football Association had enough of Jon Dahl Tomasson. The Dane was dismissed the day after the World Cup qualifying fiasco at Ullevi.
Shortly afterwards, Potter stepped in as a temporary solution as national team coach. The contract did not extend beyond a possible appearance at the World Cup finals this summer.
For a few weeks now, it has been a question of whether the national team would leave the playoff as winners or losers – Potter will stay on. The contract extends through the 2030 World Cup. That has the players giving a thumbs up. In a short time, the Englishman has won the players' trust, both as a coach and a person.
“Spreading a message”
It sends a message. It's not just an emergency solution before the World Cup but a longer-term solution, says Mattias Svanberg.
Striker Benjamin Nygren:
Really fun. He's a very good coach and a very good person too. I only have good things to say about him.
Centre-back Isak Hien, who was given a big role under Dahl Tomasson, likes the setup.
It's great that you see it as a long-term solution. I think it can provide security and stability in the way you want to work. I have high expectations.
Striker Viktor Gyökeres:
I had him for a short while in Brighton. I know some of the principles. I have a good impression, for sure.
“Good for continuity”
Williot Swedberg, who has only played one international match so far, sees only advantages in the national team securing Potter for several years to come.
I think it's good to have continuity, to have stability, to have time to start building something in the national team. It's not like you have so many practices that you can change things any way you want. It takes time and things happen quickly with the national team.
I only see it as something positive.
The national team will face Ukraine in the playoff semi-final for the World Cup finals this summer. The match will be played in Valencia this evening, with kick-off at 8:45 p.m. local time.
