Well, he has had a few goes at leaving the swans, and to be honest he could still go. The ever changing daily managerial climate is testament to that. Now Marco Silva has come from nowhere as a Fulham contender, and Crystal Palace are still to announce a firm appointment in Patrick Vieira.
As we have discussed recently this leaves Steve Cooper in quite an embarrassing position because he has been granted permission to talk to clubs, which he has. Those clubs Fulham and Palace seem to have welcomed him as a contender, but the compensation fee is reportedly bothering them. If that’s the case then Cooper should be asking himself how much value do these clubs place on him. He won’t fail at either club, however that depends on what is success ? For Palace it has to be retaining their premier league status, we’ve no doubts he would do that. For Fulham it is immediate promotion back to the promised land. We have lots of doubts about that. And seemingly Fulham do as well or they would have snapped him up immediately.
Marco Silva, now in the box seats for Fulham
Steve Cooper is a bright and intelligent football coach, it seems his management of young players is pretty much spot on, the crucial thing is his ability to retain his composure and strategic mindset when the big games come along. He is of course reliant on the players at his disposal to carry out the weekly game plan, and that’s a big ask. Footballers unlike coaches, even at the lowest of levels professionally can have a lifestyle and attitude that doesn’t always want to be a team player, or just generally don’t like a coach or manager. That can be for getting dropped, or just the fact they don’t feel they are the centre of attention.
Cooper has improved results wise over the two seasons he has spent at Swansea, personally I’ve enjoyed the results, and really not liked at least seventy five per cent of the performances. And that’s why Steve is struggling, the basic of due diligence clubs do will tell them his footballing methodology is flawed at times. It can be stale and frustrating, as illustrated in the second derby game it can also come with a complete lack of character. Wembley recently too, really not good enough. Steve Cooper has what he has in his arsenal, some will point to that as the thing which is holding him back.
Intelligent and already a success - results wise
Steve Cooper would be a magnificent appointment anywhere - and if he was to come to Swansea today as a new manager having achieved what he has at another championship club, I’m certain the majority would be delighted. There has been no club statement on anything, but expect one very soon, this can’t go on. Cooper has had four weeks to apply and be interviewed for the jobs he wants. If he wanted to stay at Swansea like Michael Appleton at Lincoln he would say so, he hasn’t. He has failed to get anything concrete as yet, and that must come with a degree of embarrassment for him. The other factor is how will the club handle the whole scenario if Cooper stays at Swansea ? It’s hardly something they will be looking forward to announcing. With fans back at the Liberty next season and pre season friendlies three weeks away this whole process needs clarifying, and for Swansea City AFC and Steve Cooper to make it clear exactly what is going on.
Because, yes, it’s embarrassing.
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