A dismal 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign, in which Sweden have picked up just one point from a possible 12 so far, was enough for Tomasson to become the first head coach in Blagult's history to be given the boot.
Former West Ham, Chelsea and Brighton & Hove Albion boss Potter has therefore been left with a mountain to climb if Sweden are to make it to North America next summer, which will begin with meetings with Slovenia and Switzerland in November.
In this article, Flashscore will break down why the appointment could be the right one for Sweden and Potter, and why the 50-year old might not be right for the Swedes.
An Englishman with a Swedish backstory
Upon his unveiling, Potter's first words to the assembled media were, "I stand here now as national team manager. It is a great great honour. It feels exciting. It feels incredible." Words he delivered not in English, but in Swedish.
Before becoming a household name among Premier League viewers, Potter cut his senior coaching teeth in Sweden, guiding tiny Ostersund from the fourth tier to the Allsvenskan, winning the Svenska Cupen and reaching the knockout stage of the UEFA Europa League in a seven-year spell.
Coincidentally, Potter was appointed on the same day Mjallby won the Allsvenskan, arguably the first underdog story to eclipse his achievements with Ostersund.
In an exclusive interview for Flashscore this month, former Sweden international Anders Andersson was quick to compare Potter's time at Ostersund with the Mjallby story.
"He took players who played in the second division – all of them – to start playing like Barcelona. That was the first time I saw someone implement these kinds of tactics in players who are not up on the same level as the others. But they outplayed them!"
Potter's work is not only remembered, but appreciated. His connection with the country and its football will surely benefit him, and being looked upon favourably will perhaps give him slightly more time from the impatient Sweden fans than another manager might receive.
There is still a chance
Beginning their campaign with a draw in Slovenia, when Sweden followed that up with a loss in Kosovo, there was a sense that things could get no worse.
But after failing to show their mettle in a home defeat to Switzerland this month, a new low was reached when Sweden were beaten by Kosovo again, this time in Gothenburg.
Amid goalkeeper Robin Olsen refusing to play for Tomasson, and Anthony Elanga publicly criticising the Dane's system, the autumn of 2025 will go down among the darkest days in Swedish football history.
Even with a star-studden squad, the chances of getting two wins in the November window and hoping Kosovo suffer two defeats by requisite margins to finish in Group B's Playoff place looks slim.
Yet all is still not lost for Sweden, whose UEFA Nations League performance last year has left them in a very strong position to take a Playoff spot regardless.
Therefore, Potter can essentially use his first two games as free-hits, taking time to implement his ideas before the crunch matches arrive in March, rather than go straight into must-win matches in his first international role.
His short-term contract lasts as long as Sweden are still in contention to qualify. Should he and Sweden fail, he can walk away with his reputation still intact, given the shambolic situation he has inherited.
Dancing with the stars
In global stars Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyokeres, elite talents Elanga and Yasin Ayari and the emerging Roony Bardghji, to name but a few, the strength in depth at Potter's disposal is the envy of every similar-sized nation, but also makes their poor form more of a shock.
The players clearly didn't believe in Tomasson's style, thus Potter will have to get them on side as quickly as possible. But given his track record, that might be easier said than done.
After his brilliance with Ostersund, Potter took the reins of Swansea City, and despite failing to guide them back to the Premier League at the first attempt, he had suitably impressed Brighton, who he stabilised in the top flight before guiding them to a first top-half finish.
Many people's favourite for the England job at the time, he was appointed Chelsea manager in September 2022. However, things unravelled very quickly at Stamford Bridge, and Potter failed to finish the season, sacked in April 2023, with the Blues sitting in 11th place after just 12 wins in 31 matches.
With a bloated squad full of big egos, Potter quickly lost control of the dressing room, with many senior players said to be unconvinced by his methods. Called "Harry" and "Hogwarts" behind his back, he failed to earn the respect he needed to do the job.
Though the squad will be limited to the names he selects, the Sweden job will be the first time since Chelsea that he has worked with so many elite players, and how he is able to not only pick them up, but keep them on side, remains to be seen.
Only as good as your last job
After over 18 months out of the game, Potter was appointed West Ham manager in January of this year, replacing Julen Lopetegui.
Taking charge with the Hammers in 14th, a solid start was quickly forgotten by a run of eight games without a win in the spring, taking them to 17th. The bottom three teams being so far adrift made relegation unlikely, before two wins in their last three saw them finish back where Potter started, in 14th.
Already on thin ice, particularly with supporters, one win and four defeats to begin the season - including heavy losses to Chelsea, Tottenham and newly-promoted Sunderland - were enough for Potter to be axed.
Seen by many to be a team and club that had lost their way in recent years before Potter's arrival, he failed to inject new life into the squad. The real issues at West Ham are arguably found in the board room, not pitchside, but regularly being played off the park at home did not help Potter's case.
Much like the Hammers, Sweden are a side with so much potential, but it is in desperate need of being galvanised. His experience in East London this year will not fill Sweden fans with confidence that Potter is the man to do it.
The verdict
Determining whether the appointment of Graham Potter as Sweden coach is the right decision is very hard to call. If the issues surrounding his time at Chelsea and West Ham return, then things could go badly wrong for Blagult pretty quickly.
But with the ability to have full control over his squad selection and at least some time to work with the players before March, he has every chance of getting the right players by his side.
He may not have international experience and he will have to learn on the job rapidly, but if there is one country where he has proven he can succeed - it is Sweden.