Swans Sporting Director, Richard Montague has been admired by numerous Premier League clubs this summer, some from a distance, and others like Brentford very much publicly.

It’s another scenario where the actual content of the news today isn’t being thought through. The eye grabbing headlines being Montague is leaving with little context as to why. We have discussed this in the past, Montague’s arrival surprising many (when officially announced in February) when just a few days later his old Notts County buddy, Luke Williams was rightly sacked from his head coach role at the club. That surprised the vast majority of the media, but it was a long time coming, too long for many. Luke Williams today making some bizarre claims that he wasn’t welcome at the club. All that after the publicity stunt at Bristol Airport shortly after his sacking, seen pushing passengers to their airport gate etc. A great piece of ‘look at me’ I will do anything for work when it was a clear attempt to get him into the news and it did, but he remains without a club.

Montague we have been told hasn't been one hundred percent happy with the way matters have gone overall since his arrival in February. Whether that’s from interference from CEO, Tom Gorringe or others, or basic clashes of personalities we will keep our powder dry. However, both have been suggested to us over the last few months. You can though understand that Gorringe from his position would want to be involved in recruitment. However, it’s always been the message that Montague was the main decision maker, negotiator and catalyst for getting players contracted into the club. That isn’t Gorringe’s territory, and recent, let’s say certain technical messages we have seen stating he was responsible for all of the recruitment and negotiations is complete hullabaloo.

Any Swans fan who has been following the big changes within Swansea City over the past seven months would laugh at such a statement. As we have stated he always had sight of what was ongoing but Richard Montague with complete knowledge of the finances took ahold of all staffing incoming. To say otherwise is somewhat ‘agenda fuelled’ We have no doubt there will be a complete and thoughtfully gathered message when Montague does depart. Brentford have more money financially and can easily double Montague’s salary if not more, he is seen as a unique negotiator in football matters.

The question now is his replacement.

Whether global recruitment specialist, Adam Worth is in a position to tackle such a role will be down to the club, he does have others within his team who may also feel capable of moving into his high profile role. For us that’s a gamble but you cannot ignore Worth’s ability within the recruitment market utilising data led technology. His other attributes include scouting, reporting and making the decisions as to which players should be in the sight of Richard Montague. For us you really shouldn’t dismiss Worth’s ability within as a candidate. You can be rest assured he won’t be at Swansea City forever with a number of clubs already inspired by his delicate handling when sourcing players and discreet management enabling the Swans to get their man. Then again is Brentford a place that he would like to link up with Montague ? It’s clear you don’t develop such a successful relationship so quickly without focus on the job that’s needs to be done.

Adam Worth is majority owner Brett Cravatt’s man though. They have worked successfully together in Las Vegas for a few years. Worth completely involved in Cravatt’s business and earning the utmost respect from Cravatt, that’s why he is at Swansea City today. He has been positioned in an extremely well thought out location within Europe to make the signings the club have made easier to achieve. When the summers ‘transfers in’ are reviewed he really hasn’t put a foot wrong.

Losing Montague isn’t the challenge ahead, he has decided to leave - but retaining staff who have made this summer so successful is key. Brett Cravatt will be in deep discussions with Worth to retain him at Swansea City, he has to. And that’s why he may see a promotion and increase in salary a good way to retain him, for now that is. Swans Head Coach, Alan Sheehan is also a big admirer.

Richard Montague, the full story will come out in time, we will continue to add context to this as time moves on. But this evening the Swans will want this disruption sorted out quickly, and that’s why he includes compensation from Brentford and for whoever else he may take with him.

Photograph : Swansea City AFC