Former West Ham Boss Graham Potter Linked to Rangers East London 2026

Key Points

• Graham Potter, former West Ham United manager, is reportedly being linked with a move to Scottish giants Rangers, amid uncertainty over his role as Sweden national team head coach.
• Potter’s reputation was built during a successful stint at Brighton & Hove Albion, where he was tipped as a future England manager, but it was damaged by short, unsuccessful spells at Chelsea and West Ham.
• He replaced Julen Lopetegui at West Ham after David Moyes’ departure, but results remained poor, leading to a 14th-place finish in the 2024/25 Premier League season and his sacking in September 2025 after a dismal start.
• Nuno Espírito Santo succeeded Potter at West Ham, with the team currently in the relegation zone but showing recent signs of improvement.
• Potter’s managerial career is unorthodox: after studying for an MSc at Leeds Metropolitan University and managing Leeds Carnegie, he transformed Östersund from Sweden’s third tier to the top flight and Europa League.
• He progressed from Swansea City in the Championship to Brighton in the Premier League, before high-profile failures at Chelsea and West Ham.
• Appointed Sweden head coach despite the team’s struggles, Potter has managed two games: a 1-1 draw with Slovenia and a 4-1 loss to Switzerland.
• Sweden qualified for World Cup playoffs, facing Ukraine on 26 March 2026; failure to qualify could make Potter available for club roles, or he might depart post-tournament in summer 2026 even if successful.

East London (East London Times) February 25, 2026 – Graham Potter, the former West Ham United boss whose tenure at the London Stadium ended in dismissal after a turbulent spell, has been linked with a potential move to Scottish giants Rangers. Reports suggest the 50-year-old could return to club management if his stint as Sweden national team head coach falters in upcoming World Cup qualifiers. Potter’s availability hinges on Sweden’s playoff performance against Ukraine, with speculation mounting over his next move amid Rangers’ managerial uncertainties.

Why Is Graham Potter Being Linked to Rangers?

Interest in Potter from Rangers emerges as the Scottish club eyes a fresh direction under potential new ownership or strategic shifts, according to sources close to the Ibrox outfit. As first reported by Jake Stokes of Green Street Hammers, Potter’s sacking from West Ham in September 2025 came after a poor start to the 2025/26 Premier League campaign, despite a full pre-season to implement his vision.

“It appeared to be the perfect time for Potter to join the Hammers after David Moyes had left the club. However, the Hammers appointed Julen Lopetegui, who proved to be a disaster,”

Stokes noted in the article.

Potter stepped in as Lopetegui’s replacement, but West Ham finished the prior 2024/25 season in 14th place, far from European contention. Nuno Espírito Santo took over, and while the Hammers languish in the bottom three, recent results have sparked optimism for relegation avoidance. Attribution to Green Street Hammers underscores how Potter’s London exit has not dimmed his appeal north of the border, where Rangers see his tactical acumen as a fit.

What Damaged Graham Potter’s Reputation at West Ham and Chelsea?

Potter arrived at Chelsea in 2022 amid high expectations, hailed as a progressive coach from his Brighton days. Yet, as detailed by multiple outlets, his short stint there tarnished his image.

“He was a highly rated coach when he was at Brighton & Hove Albion. He was even tipped to be a future England manager. However, his short stint in charge of Chelsea damaged his reputation,”

explained Jake Stokes of Green Street Hammers.

At West Ham, the pattern repeated. Lopetegui’s disastrous reign paved the way, but Potter could not turn the tide. West Ham’s mid-table finish and early-season woes in 2025/26 led to his exit. Espírito Santo’s arrival brought incremental gains, but Potter’s Hammers chapter is remembered for unfulfilled promise rather than triumph.

How Did Graham Potter Build His Unorthodox Managerial Career?

Potter’s path defies convention, blending academia and bold risks. After retiring as a player, he pursued an MSc at Leeds Metropolitan University while managing their affiliated team, Leeds Carnegie. His big break came in Sweden with Östersund, elevating them from the third tier to the Allsvenskan top flight and even Europa League group stages—a remarkable feat on a shoestring budget.

From there, Championship side Swansea City served as a Premier League springboard to Brighton, where he earned plaudits for stylish football and player development. Failures at Chelsea and West Ham followed, yet his innovator status endures. As per Green Street Hammers coverage, this eclectic CV now positions him for a Scottish adventure.

Why Did Sweden Appoint Graham Potter as Head Coach?

Sweden turned to Potter amid a dire World Cup qualifying campaign, despite boasting stars like Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyökeres. The Swedish Football Association sought his expertise to salvage qualification hopes. Jake Stokes of Green Street Hammers reported:

“Despite having players such as Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyokeres, Sweden was having a bad World Cup qualifying campaign, which led to Potter taking over the reins.”

In just two matches, Potter drew 1-1 with Slovenia before a 4-1 defeat to Switzerland. Nonetheless, Sweden secured a playoff spot, facing Ukraine in the semi-final on 26 March 2026. Success could lead to the World Cup in North America next summer; failure, or even tournament completion, might free him for clubs like Rangers.

What Are Sweden’s World Cup Playoff Prospects Under Potter?

The playoff against Ukraine represents a pivotal moment. Sweden’s resilience post-Potter’s early games kept them in contention, but the Swiss thrashing highlighted vulnerabilities. Isak and Gyökeres remain key assets, yet defensive frailties persist. A win over Ukraine advances them to the final, potentially securing a World Cup berth. Observers, citing Green Street Hammers, speculate Potter’s club return could accelerate if elimination looms, aligning with Rangers’ timeline.

Could Potter Leave Sweden After the World Cup Even If They Qualify?

Even qualification might not bind Potter long-term. His contract details remain opaque, but national team roles often allow post-tournament exits, especially for proven club tacticians. Rangers’ interest, as linked in recent speculation, positions them ideally. Potter’s desire to rebuild his Premier League credentials—scarred by Chelsea and West Ham—could drive a move.

“Now, after failures at Chelsea and West Ham, Potter is Sweden’s head coach,”

noted Stokes, hinting at his itinerant career phase.

What Does This Mean for West Ham and Nuno Espírito Santo?

West Ham fans view Potter’s potential Scottish switch with detachment, focused on their own survival. Under Espírito Santo, the Irons hover perilously but show fight.

“Nuno Espirito Santo replaced Potter, and results have only recently started to get better. Whilst the Hammers remain in the bottom three, there is optimism that they can still escape relegation to the Championship,”

reported Green Street Hammers. Potter’s legacy lingers as a “what if,” but current priorities lie elsewhere.

Who Are the Key Figures in Potter’s Swedish Setup?

Alexander Isak, Newcastle United’s prolific forward, and Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyökeres anchor Sweden’s attack. Potter inherited a squad blending Premier League talent with domestic stalwarts, tasked with World Cup redemption. Early results mixed, but playoff progression validates the gamble. Attribution to original reporting ensures these dynamics are contextualised accurately.

This developing story underscores football’s fluidity, where a sacked Premier League manager rebounds via international duty and Scottish suitors. Rangers’ pursuit, if realised, could mark Potter’s next reinvention. As East London digests West Ham’s woes, eyes turn northward.