Swansea City are still searching for a new head coach, and as it always is another coaching unit to come along with that head coach. We take a look at the reality of this search and why there is no hurry, not only for the club but for anyone connected to the position.

It seems that Eric Ramsay, currently at Minnesota in the MLS was at the forefront of Swansea City’s thinking when Luke Williams was sacked along with assistants Ryan Harley and George Lawtey. From there we have seen numerous suggestions but the fact is Swansea City should not be making any move in the immediate future to replace, add or change the faces at the forefront of the clubs management or training. We have Alan Sheehan now and we expect that to continue with Martyn Margetson, Anthony Wright, Kristian O’Leary with input from Joe Allen in the immediate future.

Newly appointed ‘Director of football’ Richard Montague will be utilising his analytical skills to feedback on the game, and Blackburn Rovers was a great starting point for both him and Alan Sheehan. In game analytics which was the job of George Lawtey is currently lacking but there will be input from the Preston North End away game next Tuesday evening. It isn’t a shambles, it’s a miscalculation by the Chairman, Andrew Coleman on one point appointing Luke Williams in the first place and two retaining him when he should have been sacked the month before, in our opinion. But there are numerous versions of the truth here which is why we took time out - to find out.

Those who speak in hindsight and in some cases without information or having taken three days out to talk about and investigate the position at the Swans had better strap in. First of all, Richard Montague. He was courted as a result of the pretty poor showing late last year by those who were employed in recruiting, researching and delivering a positive future for the club. It was either laziness or inexperience on their behalf that led to these current changes. Initially and we can assure you of this Luke Williams was most certainly instrumental in getting Montague’s interest in the Swans. Andrew Coleman first met Montague in mid December 2023. That was the Swans first approach to Notts County to assess and understand Luke Williams position at the then newly promoted League Two side. Back then the approach was rejected, in fact it was dismissed out of hand. Now get this. And you may well associate this with Luke Williams recent behaviour when connected to West Bromwich Albion.

Williams walked out of Notts County three weeks after the Swans initial inquiry. And it was a similar scenario to his West Bromwich Albion link. But that didn’t get off the ground because the Baggies were never going to appoint him, despite his own belief he could do the job.

Bar Williams non league success as a head coach he led Swindon Town to relegation with a twenty six percent win rate - and at the Swans this season with just a thirty two percent win rate he was going the same way. He left Swansea City if you recall in 2022 when assistant to Russell Martin. There were various reasons which we won’t go into here, and it was nothing to do with Russell Martin. However within a few months he was up and running at Notts County. Far easier to leave as an assistant than as a manager.

We also mustn’t forget the exclusive report we did on Williams and his assistants three weeks before he was appointed at Swansea City.

⚽️ Luke Williams facts and figures pre Swansea

The money paid to Notts County was huge, and therein did the relationship between Montague and Coleman start. For anyone to believe Williams had no influence on Montague’s coming to Swansea this month is very much not at the races. I think most people misread (including us) that made Williams job safe in the future. However, it most certainly was the case in January and from our inquiries this week Montague would have been unhappy with him leaving in mid January when many Swans fans wanted him to go. That we believe, as others do who make an effort to find out these things would have dealt a blow to the Swans recruitment of Montague. However, as time moved forwards it was evident that from that time - Matt Grimes who had already approached Coleman about the whole situation at Swansea things had to change. The most important reasoning which Montague completely agreed with was the future employment of Williams as Swansea manager. Irrespective of the initial reasons for Montague coming to the club he could see Swansea City only heading in one direction, and that was towards League One.

The inevitable happened and here we are today with Alan Sheehan giving brief hope for the rest of the season. There’s no way the Swans will appoint Sheehan at this time, why would they ? This is the same as the Ben Cabango new deal and Harry Darling. Why give them new contracts last summer when every week that passes saves thousands ? Again, why appoint a new head coach and staff which will very much go into more millions over time when you have a cheaper option in Alan Sheehan ? Financially for Coleman it is a no brainer.

The Swans view is a simple one.

Retain what you have as long as it is a success, despite that changing week to week, get to a position where you can happily appoint Sheehan as caretaker / interim until the end of the season and take stock in the summer. If Sheehan can get a few wins and secure safety then why would you appoint a new man and staff before the weather warms up ? Money is saved in its potential hundreds of thousands and safety is secured. If of course Sheehan goes on a losing streak then that presents a different situation, but for now that situation isn’t evident.

That doesn’t mean to say that the Swans aren’t still working on a new head coach etc … But it can take a slower pace. Sacking Williams in January was never going to happen with the club chasing players, that was obvious as much as we wanted it, plus Montague would potentially have been alarmed by that. However, we have no doubt at all that both Montague and Coleman had an agreement as to what action to take pre his appointment as DOF. You can’t retain a head coach who the players are unhappy with regards the type of training he delivers (basically do this and you will win games then it doesn’t happen) or that the Captain is unhappy about - or every game is lost pathetically. And finally he was indirectly touting himself in early January with his remarks and comments which gradually got worse and worse dropping him further into the mire regards West Bromwich Albion. I’ve spoken to one club owner who states he would have sacked him immediately after those ‘call my agent comments’ Coleman despite being very unhappy with the way Luke spoke was about to embark on a January transfer window. Add to that rumours of a Harry Darling new contract decision which many knew about on the day the Swans were defeated at Portsmouth (Jan 1st) and it was Williams who made a complete mockery of January as much as anyone else.

He placed the club externally into a belief that not a lot was right behind the scenes, and if anyone didn’t know that before they most certainly knew it then.

Self interest ? Stupidity ? Naivety? and a lack of professionalism at a club which just doesn’t have a town looking at them but a whole country and beyond. Many thousands of people who don’t support the major Welsh clubs have an interest and perception after the last seven weeks or so of mismanagement at a time when the whole scenario was getting worse at the Swans. They are people with a sporting interest in Wales. The same people who follow the national side, those who support Cardiff as an example but cheer as loudly as anyone when Liam Cullen scores for his country.

Please Swansea, do not make that same mistake again. Michael Duff and Luke Williams was enough. The best way forwards now is retain what you have, no matter what happens this season the Swans should hold a decent mid table finish. So, why on earth spend more money on new faces when it really isn’t worth it ?

Photographs Open Source