Sweden manager Graham Potter has mocked Manchester City while explaining the fitness concerns regarding some of his players during the pre-match press conference on Thursday.
Potter has faced Manchester City on occasions while he was in charge at Swansea City, Brighton & Hove Albion, Chelsea and West Ham United.
On September 29th, the Premier League confirmed an independent commission found Manchester City guilty of all charges ‘related to serious breaches’ of the league financial regulations over nine seasons between 2009 and 2018.
The manager’s spells with Swansea City, Brighton, Chelsea and West Ham only started from the 2018/1p season. He didn’t come up against Manchester City during the period they have initially been found guilty for.
Comparing NT issues to Manchester City charges
Sweden have registered two wins over Romania and Poland in the UEFA Nations League in this international break plus a draw against Bosnia.
Two days ago, Sweden press officer Petra Thorén confirmed Celtic’s Benjamin Nygren and Brighton’s Yasin Ayari had been taken ill.
A day later, the national team doctor, Jonas Werner, confirmed five players had fallen ill. This includes Nygren, Ayari, Gustaf Lagerbielke, Elliot Stroud and Patrik Wålemark. These players will miss the clash against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
During yesterday’s press conference, Graham Potter was talking about the Sweden camp hit by illness. To point out the severity of the situation, he mocks Manchester City being charged and Fotbollskanalen have relayed his comments.
“We probably have as many away as Manchester City’s number of charges,” he said.
“We have been sick and that is what happens. It is good to get help from others who have been called up now.”
“I want to talk about the players who are here. Such is life that there are players who are not available. We have a good and broad squad. The attitude to come in and help is very good.”
When asked to share his views about Manchester City’s situation, Potter explained: “It’s a sad situation. That’s how I sum it up.”
“I’ve had a lot to think about here, so I haven’t had time to think much. It’s not good for football, not good for the league. It is what it is, but I don’t know what’s going on. It’s sad, because the team I faced with Pep Guardiola was the best team I’ve ever faced. It’s just sad.”
| Graham Potter — UK managerial career | Time in charge | Games | Wins–Draws–Losses | Win rate | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Swansea City | June 2018–May 2019 | 51 | 21–11–19 | 41.2% | Finished 10th in the Championship and reached the FA Cup quarter-finals. Left to join Brighton. |
| Brighton & Hove Albion | May 2019–September 2022 | 135 | 42–46–47 | 31.1% | Led Brighton to ninth place and 51 points in 2021/22, both club Premier League records at the time. Left for Chelsea. |
| Chelsea | September 2022–April 2023 | 31 | 12–8–11 | 38.7% | Reached the Champions League quarter-finals but was dismissed with Chelsea 11th in the Premier League. |
| West Ham United | January–September 2025 | 25 | 6–5–14 | 24.0% | Won six matches before being dismissed following four defeats in the opening five league games of 2025/26. |
| Total | 242 | 81–70–91 | 33.5% |
Where was Potter during 2009 and 2018
The 51-year-old started his coaching career at Östersund in 2011, after a three-year spell at semi-professional side Leeds Carnegie. He spent seven years with the Swedish club and left them for Swansea City in 2018.
A year later, he moved to Brighton & Hove Albion. Graham Potter’s work there convinced Chelsea to bet on him in September 2022, after the Blues sacked Thomas Tuchel.
However, he failed to impress at Stamford Bridge, and Chelsea showed him the exit door in April 2024.
In January 2025, Potter returned to London to join West Ham United, where his time lasted until last September. A month later, Sweden appointed him and has been there since then.
In his coaching career, Potter faced Pep Guardiola-led Manchester City 10 times. Six were with the Seagulls, three with Chelsea and one while at Swansea City. He lost nine and his only win came with Brighton in May 2021.
