The Englishman’s rise in Sweden with Ostersunds has been simply remarkable and Rangers and Southampton should be keeping a close eye.
Graham Potter’s Swedish minnows Ostersunds may have been on the end of a 3-0 defeat at the hands of Arsenal last night, as they hosted the Gunners in a Europa League round of 32 match, however, the fact that the Swedes are even competing in the knockout stages of European competition is a fairy tale in itself.
Potter, 42, took over Ostersunds in 2011 when the club were competing in the fourth tier of Swedish football. In five years, he led the team to three promotions, securing top flight football for the first time in the club’s 21-year history.
Winning the Swedish Cup last season meant the team entered the Europa League qualifying rounds, in which they saw off high calibre opposition in the likes of Turkish giants Galatasaray to reach the group stage in their debut European campaign.
If that was not enough, the North Swedish club progressed through a group which featured Athletic Bilbao, Zorya Luhansk and Hertha Berlin, to set up a stunning knockout tie against Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal.
Ostersunds may have been unable to overturn Arsenal, but there is no shame in that what so ever.
Potter has evidently done something right in his six years in Sweden, which has rightfully earned him the reputation as one of the brightest young British managerial prospects in the world.
His successes with Ostersunds prove he can produce the goods on the smallest of budgets, and if he had any doubters prior to this season, his progress in the Europa League must have been enough to change people’s minds.
With interest in Potter only going to increase from British football clubs, here are two sides that could do with the former York City man at the helm.
Southampton
Southampton have endured a tough season under new manager Mauricio Pellegrino. In hindsight, perhaps it was foolish to allow Claude Puel to leave following an eighth-place finish and EFL Cup final in 2016/2017, especially with the Frenchman having dragged Leicester back to their best since his appointment earlier this term.
Southampton could face the drop, which would no doubt see Pellegrino suffer the sack. However, even if they survive, going off the evidence of Puel last year, the Argentine could just as easily be dismissed.
Southampton have a wonderful reputation of producing young talent and signing new ones on a budget, which would be perfectly suited to the 41-year-old Englishman.
Rangers
It remains to be seen whether or not Rangers will opt to continue with Graeme Murty as their manager beyond the end of the season. In all fairness, it is probably dependent on how they finish the campaign.
If they finish in a convincing second place and reach the Scottish Cup Final, Murty should have done enough to secure the job. However, if they fall behind Aberdeen and miss out on a decent cup run, the Gers may well cut ties.
Nevertheless, the Glasgow side should be keeping their eye on Potter. Again, his clear ability to produce the goods with a tight budget is exactly what Rangers need, with their financial restrictions common knowledge.
Landing a job in Scotland would be a much less pressure environment than a straight switch to the Premier League. However, working at a club the size of Rangers would stand the Englishman in good stead should he wish to progress to England’s top flight in due course.
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