Former Leeds United and Leicester City defender Alan Sheehan has been named as the new Swansea City caretaker boss following the sacking of Michael Duff on Monday night.
Duff had taken charge of the side during the summer and had a dismal start to the campaign, with the Welsh outfit sitting inside the relegation zone early into the season. However, a decent run of form saw the Swans get back into the mix for the playoffs.
Nevertheless, Swansea City have fallen off the wagon once more and are 18th in the Championship table, having failed to win a single match across their last five league outings. Swansea’s last victory came away at Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park at the end of October.
With some big games at the bottom half of the table to come against Rotherham United and Stoke City over the next week, the board decided to pull the trigger on Duff’s time in charge, confirming that assistant coach Martin Paterson has also left the club.
In a club statement last night, Swansea City chairman Andy Coleman thanked Duff for his services:
“I acknowledge that there has been a significant amount of change at the club, both on and off the pitch, during Michael’s tenure. I consistently asked for patience as we gave him time to implement his plans and bring the squad together.
“Unfortunately, we have seen neither the results that we expect nor the progress from the squad that we need. I believe it is now in the best interests of Swansea City to make a change of head coach.
“I have the greatest respect for Michael as a person and as a leader. I know how hard he and his staff have worked throughout this season for Swansea City. I want to personally thank Michael, Martin, and their families for the sacrifices they have made on behalf of this club and this city.”
Swansea also confirmed that ex-Lincoln City, Leeds and Leicester player Alan Sheehan would take the reins in the interim, having previously been on Nathan Jones’ coaching staff at Luton Town and Southampton before joining Duff at the Swansea.com Stadium.
Writer’s View
This wasn’t the biggest surprise. Swansea City have had two very poor spells of form sandwiched between a decent run of results after the international break in September.
However, the former Barnsley manager was unable to replicate the side’s style of play and solid results from Russell Martin’s time in the dugout. It will be interesting to see whether the Swans appoint domestically or look abroad, following Queens Park Rangers’ blueprint with Marti Cifuentes.
Deputy Head of Writing
