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" Next Championship / Swansea City manager "

Sat May 19, 2018 11:23 am

Next Swansea City manager contenders: A definitive look at the men in the frame to replace Carlos Carvalhal


By Andrew Gwylim


Saturday 19th May 2018

Now that it has been confirmed that Carlos Carvalhal will not longer be Swansea City manager , attentions will turn to the next man in.

The Swans are looking for their third manager since Paul Clement was appointed in January last year but this time it's different.

A season in the Championship beckons after the South Wales club were enable to extend their stay in the Premier League.


Here's a closer look at the men in contention to take the reins at the Liberty Stadium.









Graham Potter

Among the early favourites and a man Swansea City are expected to approach to fill the managerial vacancy.

The 42-year-old has won many plaudits for his work at FK Ostersunds in Sweden, where he has guided the club from the fourth tier to the top-flight and European football.

Swansea have spoken to him before, initially about a place on the coaching staff and later for the job of manager.

The former Southampton and York City defender - who won an England Under-21 cap - deflected links as speculation at the weekend but he can expect to be hearing from Swansea again, if he has not done so already.

He is firmly in the frame.

Verdict: Supporters may see Potter as a left-field choice, but so were Roberto Martinez and Brendan Rodgers when they were appointed. Also has a reputation for positive football. Will be among leading contenders.







Chris Coleman

A Swansea boy and out of work following his departure from Sunderland, you can understand why he is high in the betting.

However, he has previously said he would not want to manage his hometown club due to the pressure it would put on his family, who still live in the area.

Also, if Swansea are looking for someone to bring back their possession style of play, Coleman would not seem a natural fit.

The suggestion is he is not interested in the role.

Verdict: Coleman looks to be distancing himself from the vacancy, as he has done before. Looks unlikely.


Chris Coleman (Image: Getty Images Europe)
Dean Smith

The 47-year-old has developed a high-intensity, high-pressing, attacking side at Brentford since his appointment in November 2015.

Is already attracting admiring glances from elsewhere, with West Brom rumoured to be keen on the ex-Walsall boss, after making the Bees one of the most attractive sides in the second tier while operating on a small budget.

He knows the division and has shown he can produce good football and compete at that level.

Verdict: Likely to be another man under consideration. Still young but not short of experience and the style of football played by Brentford would be a big tick in the box.








Brentford manager Dean Smith

The intense 44-year-old has done superb work since leaving a role at Brighton to become Luton boss.

The Hatters stormed to promotion to League One with a swashbuckling approach that saw them score more goals than the likes of Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Liverpool.

The devout Christian is a man on the up.

Verdict: A name to watch out for, his burgeoning reputation is growing quickly. Could it be too soon this time? We’ll see.

Luton Town manager Nathan Jones (Image: Huw Evans Agency)
Michael Laudrup

His agent claimed he was offered the chance to succeed Clement at Christmas, and supporters will have warm memories of the fantastic football served up by his sides.

But, pause for a second and remember the acrimony his previous stint at the club ended in, as well as the less than loving relationship between his representative Bayram Tutumlu and Huw Jenkins mean a return while the chairman is in situ would not appear a strong possibility.

Verdict: Some Swans fans would surely welcome his return, but would a man of the former Real Madrid and Barcelona star’s profile really be keen on managing in the second tier?







Michael Laudrup


Has carved out a good career with MLS side Vancouver Whitecaps and the 52-times capped midfielder is seen as a bright, young coaching prospect.

He currently has the Whitecaps fifth in the Western Conference with just two defeats from their first 11 games. Last season they got to the conference semi-finals (essentially a title quarter-final).

Verdict: Would probably be an outsider, but is a young man making an impression. His time may yet come.







Chris Wilder

The Sheffield United boss is currently odds-on favourite to succeed Coleman at Sunderland after a falling out with Blades’ chiefs.

Achieved promotion with them and Northampton and his United sides have been known for their front-foot attacking game and the 50-year-old has previously spoken of his admiration for clubs like Bournemouth and his odds have shortened in recent days.

Got the better of Carvalhal in last season’s Sheffield derby, leading the Bramall Lane club to a 4-2 triumph over City rivals Wednesday.

Verdict: Not short of experience, knows the Championship and likes his side to take the game to the opposition. Would tick several boxes.






Cameron Toshack

He and Gary Richards are highly-rated at the club after the work they have done through the academy and, currently, with the successful under-23’s side.

He was also part of the first-team staff during Leon Britton’s stint as caretaker boss.

Toshack was interviewed for the Barnsley job earlier in the season and he does have his admirers at boardroom level.

Under Richards and he the under-23s have played an attractive brand of football and - if some of those players are to step up to first-team level - he would be well-placed to oversee that process.

However, it would be a big step up to Championship level.

Verdict: Will likely be under consideration for some sort of role - the same goes for Richards - could he follow in his father’s footsteps?








Leon Britton

Ended his playing career against Stoke on Sunday and has already been backed as the next manager by many, including John Hartson.

Britton has worked his way through his coaching badges with the FAW, has made no secret of his desire to go into coaching, and had a brief spell in caretaker charge earlier in the season.

However, it is thought he wants to spend more time with his family - after taking up an ambassadorial role with the club - before thinking of throwing himself into the malestrom of management.

Verdict: It may well happen one day, but now is probably not the time although few would have a better knowledge of the club and the path that needs to be taken.
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Re: " Next Championship / Swansea City manager "

Sat May 19, 2018 4:48 pm

Whoever it is will possibly have a huge task on their hands as according to Alan Curtis they will probably lose ten players? :o not good if just going into championship. :old:

Re: " Next Championship / Swansea City manager "

Sat May 19, 2018 4:53 pm

They should just call it a day and start a darts team.

Re: " Next Championship / Swansea City manager "

Sat May 19, 2018 6:46 pm

GrangeEndStar wrote:They should just call it a day and start a darts team.



Yes but trouble is if anything like their strike force they wouldn't even hit dart board! !! :lol:

Re: " Next Championship / Swansea City manager "

Sat May 19, 2018 11:20 pm

Russell Slade ??