Bristol Rovers seems to be the buzz name in the corridors of Swansea City these days. Andrew Mangan joining the public face of the business on a temporary role having worked previously with CEO, Tom Gorringe the latest addition.

Or is it ?

Mangan wasn’t formally announced by the Swans, which immediately aroused suspicions, but when questioned by the BBC Vitor Matos said, "He's someone that I know from a long time ago and someone that I think adds quite a lot of value. He is a really important asset for all of us. He has a big heart, he has experience in the leagues as well, he knows the players. I think he just added to us, he was available, that's why he has come in”

The link with Matos is his coaching licence with the football association of Wales (FAW) Not dissimilar to Ryan Maye who has left the club as assistant / manager coach.

There is a pattern forming currently at the Swans though. There is an issue with the amount of coaching staff on the books, and that has caused us to ask some questions regards the departures of Martyn Margetson and Ryan Maye. Looking at the current coaching set up it is still top heavy, so much so that there is simply not enough positive work for such a large coaching staff to do. We understand that this is the reason for Martyn Margetson leaving the club and a primary reason why Ryan Maye has also departed. Two valuable and respected coaches now preferring to search for employment elsewhere.

And they are.

We have been told that Vitor Matos is very hands on and manages all the strategies and match day preparation strictly. This leaves the abundance of coaches without a full time role as Matos also has Andrew Mangan, Kris O’Leary, Toze Mendes, Goncalo Ricca, Diogo Medeiros and Leon Britton within his structure. That’s six coaches, and all of a sudden you get the reasoning why two coaches have left in quick succession in Margetson and Maye, and of course but not unexpected, Joe Allen. There are four on the medical staff, and you would expect that.

But this isn’t looking like a solid foundation.

The other concern and whether that includes Mangan as a Bristol Rovers connection or not we are told that a minimum of three others (their positions are unknown) will also be joining or have joined the Swans having worked at Bristol Rovers. With all due respects to the Gas (I follow their results, lots of mates there) they are an under performing League Two club, so why the insistence that so many connections are with - or will be at the club ? What do they bring that the rest of Wales as a population doesn’t have ?

There are many examples of Tom Gorringe and similar issues when he was at Bristol Rovers before he came to Swansea. This is one.

For us this is concerning, the loss of Adam Worth a month ago from recruiting hasn’t been addressed, the position of Sporting Director or whatever name you want to give it hasn’t been completed. So what is the brief here ?

It seems maybe that Tom Gorringe is slowly placing a protective blanket around the club of people who he trusts, but why would he do that ? And why are the majority owners allowing it ? Adam Worth left Matos with a very decent pool of players to work with come next season, but that’s all folded with little information about. Let’s not forget Worth also brought in Matos. The ‘about to be appointed’ Sporting Director position from weeks ago has not been fulfilled either. It is currently a club which is being dismantled behind the scenes with international expertise in Margetson and one of the most respected coaches in the country in Maye gone.

Whilst this happens this comfort blanket of ex Bristol Rovers employees needs explaining. Either that or we will continue to ask questions and utilise help from those who speak to us. The club has thousands of supporters waiting for next season with as much hope as we have seen in a very long time. Personal moves for whatever reason behind the scenes doesn’t ring a change for the better. It actually looks like a very nervous or borderline paranoid CEO ensuring he has his spy’s all over the club whilst he does whatever it is he does.

Personal agendas surely should not be welcome at Swansea City ? If of course that is what we are seeing ? But the evidence is there currently for all to see. And it seems to have happened before.

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