It’s Potter magic.. in Sweden
GRAHAM POTTER’S Ostersund have been out of this world in this season’s Europa League.
Little wonder then, that their English boss has described their continental journey as like something from science fiction.
A win for the Swedish side against Hertha Berlin would grant them safe passage into the knockout stages.
Not bad going for a side who were in the fourth tier of Swedish football when the former Southampton, Stoke and West Brom journeyman took over.
“It has defied all rational logic,” he said. “There’s no way we should be top of this group, but we’ve played well and certainly deserve to be up there.”
Potter was working at Leeds Met University when Ostersund came knocking in 2011.
And he admits the chances of him achieving the equivalent with an English club would have been out of the question.
“I started in the fourth tier and it has been an incredible journey,” he said.
“I would never have got the chance to do what I’ve done here with an English side. In fact, the chances of a side in Sweden taking a chance on me were pretty remote too.
“Now here we are. It has been an amazing adventure to take this club to places like Bilbao and Galatasaray.
“To be honest, it has been like something from a science-fiction novel.
“With Sweden qualifying for the World Cup this week, there’s a really good feeling here at the moment. We’re not looking ahead of Thursday... we just want this run to continue.”
From being an anonymous figure in Swedish football, Potter is suddenly the name on everyone’s lips.
Not that the job offers are rolling in back home.
“The only contact I’ve had has been from journalists!” he said.
Some more Potter magic in Europe this week and that might all change.