Graham Potter
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| Graham Potter | |
| |
| Full Name | Graham Stephen Potter |
| Date of Birth | 20 May 1975 |
| Place of Birth | Solihull, England |
| Chelsea career | 2022-2023 |
| Win percentage | 39% |
| Honours | None |
| Other clubs | Östersund Swansea City Brighton & Hove Albion West Ham United Sweden |
Graham Potter is a former manager of Chelsea.
Contents |
Before Chelsea
Early career
Potter played professionally for clubs such as Birmingham City, Stoke City, West Bromwich Albion, Northampton Town, and York City, spending most of his career in the lower divisions of English football. Though never a high-profile player, he was known for his professionalism and tactical understanding. He retired in 2005 and immediately turned his attention toward coaching and education.
Potter’s first major breakthrough came in Sweden with Östersunds FK, whom he joined in 2011. At the time, the club was in the fourth tier of Swedish football. Over the next seven years, Potter transformed Östersunds into one of the most remarkable success stories in European football. He guided the club through three promotions into the Allsvenskan, implemented a progressive, possession-based playing style, and fostered a strong team culture that emphasized creativity and psychological growth.
The highlight of his tenure came in the 2017–18 season, when Östersunds qualified for the UEFA Europa League and famously defeated Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium, narrowly missing out on progressing further. The achievement earned Potter widespread recognition across Europe and established him as a coach with a distinctive vision and modern outlook.
In 2018, Potter returned to England to take charge of Swansea City. Despite financial constraints and the sale of key players, he implemented an attractive passing style and led Swansea to a respectable mid-table finish in the Championship. Although his time in South Wales lasted only one season, his work further enhanced his reputation as a coach capable of imposing a clear footballing identity under difficult circumstances.
Potter joined Brighton & Hove Albion in 2019, where he enjoyed the most stable and defining period of his Premier League career. At Brighton, he was given time and trust to develop his ideas, and he repaid that faith by building a tactically flexible side capable of competing with the league’s strongest teams. His Brighton teams were praised for their positional play, tactical variation, and willingness to adapt formations based on opponents.
While Brighton were sometimes criticised for a lack of cutting edge in front of goal, Potter consistently improved their league finishes, culminating in a club-record ninth place in the 2021–22 Premier League season. Under his leadership, Brighton also became known for developing young and undervalued players, many of whom later moved to bigger clubs.
Chelsea
In September 2022, Potter was appointed head coach of Chelsea following the dismissal of Thomas Tuchel. His arrival came during a period of major transition, with new ownership, a heavily expanded squad, and enormous expectations. Chelsea committed to a long-term project under Potter, viewing him as a coach capable of building sustainable success rather than delivering instant results.
However, his time at Stamford Bridge proved extremely challenging. Injuries, an unbalanced squad, and inconsistent performances undermined his efforts to establish stability. Despite occasional strong performances, Chelsea struggled for results, and pressure intensified amid growing fan frustration. In April 2023, after less than seven months in charge, Potter was dismissed with the team languishing in the lower half of the Premier League table.
After Chelsea
Potter returned to management in January 2025 with West Ham United. His tenure proved short and challenging, as he was unable to produce sustained results or reverse the club’s league position. Despite brief signs of tactical organisation, West Ham continued to struggle, and Potter left the club later that year.
Shortly after his departure from West Ham, on 20 October 2025, Potter was appointed head coach of the Sweden national football team on a short-term contract aimed at steering the side through the final stages of qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. His first match in charge resulted in a defeat, but the role marked a new chapter in his managerial career on the international stage.
Managerial record
| P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Win % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| League | 22 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 21 | 21 | 0 | 32% |
| FA Cup | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | -4 | 0% |
| Lg Cup | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | -2 | 0% |
| Europe | 7 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 12 | 4 | +8 | 71% |
| Other | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Total | 31 | 12 | 8 | 11 | 33 | 31 | +2 | 39% |
| Managers |
|---|
| Robertson (1905–06) • Lewis (1906–07) • Calderhead (1907–33) • Knighton (1933–39) • Birrell (1939–52) Drake (1952–61) • Docherty (1961–67) • Sexton (1967–74) • Suart (1974–75) • McCreadie (1975–77) • Shellito (1977–78) Blanchflower (1978–79) • Hurst (1979–81) • Neal (1981–85) • Hollins (1985–88) • Campbell (1988–91) Porterfield (1991–93) • Webb (1993) • Hoddle (1993–96) • Gullit (1996–98) • Vialli (1998–00) • Ranieri (2000–04) Mourinho (2004–07) • Grant (2007–08) • Scolari (2008–09) • Hiddink (2009) • Ancelotti (2009–11) Villas-Boas (2011–12) • Di Matteo (2012) • Benítez (2012–13) • Mourinho (2013–15) • Hiddink (2015–16) Conte (2016–) |
