The majority of the Swansea City supporting world are aware of Alan Sheehan’s continuation as interim manager until the end of the season. The issue for some of course will be the fact the club haven’t made it official. Tomorrow afternoons pre Leeds United press conference will clear that up we are sure. (Since this report was published the club have now confirmed Alan Sheehan and his two coaches until the end of the season)

The announcement of Richard Stearman and Mark Fotheringham has been news for a few days, it is understood they have very short term contracts until the end of the season with Sheehan. Stearman was a professional footballer playing in the Premier League for Wolverhampton Wanderers (77 games) but spent the majority of his time in the Championship with Fulham, Wolves and Sheffield United. A centre back, he retired from football last summer previously playing a season with Solihull Moors. Thereafter he took up a coaching position for the current campaign. He had a solid professional career which when he was announced unofficially a few days ago seemed to confuse some of the Swans support. He is a good friend of Alan Sheehan so this appointment isn’t as left field as some would suggest.

In fact it could turn out to be very much more than a speculative punt.

The same can be said of Mark Fotheringham. He is a Scotsman and you could say his professional career reached its highest level when at Norwich City. He started off at Celtic and then played for Dundee before joining the Canaries. His managerial record at Huddersfield Town was pretty poor taking charge of twenty one games, losing ten and winning just five. He lasted around four months before being sacked. His previous experience as an assistant coach came in the Bundesliga with Hertha Berlin.

The real issue for Sheehan has been his lack of support to keep the Swans out of relegation trouble with limited coaching resources. Three down in that regard since Luke Williams was sacked hasn’t helped him at all. The qualities of U21 coach Anthony Wright helped but of course he has now returned to the academy set up. Whether he continues helping out with the first team is an unanswered question, or more to the point a question we haven’t asked. Both Stearman and Fotheringham may look like cheap options (they are) but Sheehan really does need support. The last two games against Burnley and before that Watford evidenced that. Having said that if they assist Sheehan in achieving a very straight forward goal of avoiding relegation then it’s obvious they will take a permanent role if offered.

Sheehan now has his coaches in place, improved remuneration and a goal to reach.

That’s the conundrum for the board at the Swans. What we do know is that there is most certainly not one hundred percent backing at this time for Sheehan to become permanent. We have been told it’s a fluid situation that will run until the summer now despite candidates waiting in the wings. The three preferred appointments are not British as we revealed recently. One is most certainly from Northern Europe, but speculation as to the other two is just that. Even if we did know (we have our own thoughts) we wouldn’t report it without clarity, that’s not our way. There’s no way anyone we talk to would be compromised and we say again, squeezing someone dry with information is a quick fire way to getting people sacked or even scuppering the work the club do. Even away from the club. Especially if that information is only known to a few. Of course we always discount every bit of information until we can double or even treble its validity with already known sources to us who have a good track record. That means we have a decent timeline and nobody who gets involved is known. During the January transfer window some false info was leaked by the club, very cleverly as it wasn’t just to one person. When it appeared on social media certain eyebrows were raised, matters were taken in hand and we will leave that there.

The priority to be first - discounting a news source and their confidentiality is not what encourages a long term relationship. I would imagine that strategy wasn’t just for January, it’s ongoing.

What we do know and it also won’t come as a surprise is that IF Sheehan displays a really successful end to the season he will again be in the box seats. However, the board have to be totally behind him. This appointment along with the new CEO, Tom Gorringe and Sporting Director, Richard Montague could easily be seen as a disaster if any head coach and his team start off the season next time around badly. That returns us to the conundrum. Nothing is guaranteed even with a brand new appointment and their own coaching team. But that’s what these guys are paid for, and as did the current outgoing Chairman, Andrew Coleman these new appointments will either see them fall on their sword - or the crowds will come rushing back.

The latter needs some real investment, not just in the playing staff but the academy, food outlets in the ground, a more pleasurable match day experience and a less parochial view on the club. Most of that isn’t included in profit and sustainability. The long term support of the fans relies upon a visual attempt to improve and step up financially. We know the board have the finances spare, that’s often been reported by us and other outlets. In one case a multi million pound investment from one board member would be seen as pin money to some. Regardless, if there has ever been a time when the decision making needs to be clear and transparent then this is it. Good quality future planning is at times lacking in football, but get it right and capacity crowds and optimism will most certainly follow.

Photographs open source, Swansea Independent & Registered Reuters