The Albion boss spent nearly eight years with Swedish club Ostersunds, taking them from the country’s fourth division to the top tier, winning the cup and qualifying for the Europa League, and he says coaching abroad has taught him a lot.
“I can only speak for myself, but I left when I was 36 and I thought I knew stuff and everything about the world,” said Potter. “Then you begin to realise that when you live somewhere else you see that everyone has a different view of the world.
“On a human level it’s a gift to be able to have that experience. You see both football and life in general very differently and through different eyes.
“It was wonderful for me and I’d encourage anybody to do it. You see things from a different perspective, and it happens naturally.
“Societies are structured in a different way and you have to adapt to things. The more players you can work with from different backgrounds and lives broadens your own mind and it’s good for your own development.”
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It’s a path that is familiar to the manager Potter will share the touchline with when Albion face Crystal Palace tomorrow evening at Selhurst Park.
Roy Hodgson has managed 16 different teams in eight countries since starting his coaching career with Halmstads BK - coincidently another Swedish club – in 1976.
“You don’t see many coaches from England go abroad and experience something different before coming back over here, but from my experience it’s definitely something I would recommend,” added Potter.
“If you have the chance then it’s one you should take. But rightly or wrongly the perception of English coaches in Europe isn’t so positive. I’m not sure how many opportunities there will be in the future, but there are massive benefits from doing it.”