Swansea City make an approach to have talks with League One boss Michael Duff, currently at Barnsley, according to the Independent on Sunday.
PA News Agency state that the Championship club has made an approach to Tykes, but there is no agreement between the two clubs.
Martin is expected to join Southampton, and has been for a while, meaning the Swans, who finished 10th last year in the Championship, have been on the lookout for his replacement.
Barnsley manager Michael Duff is a target for Swansea City as they eye up candidates to replace Russell Martin ⚽#BBCFootball
— BBC Sport Wales (@BBCSportWales) June 18, 2023
The Saints are on the verge of officially announcing Martin as the new man in charge after the 37-year-old agreed to move to St Mary’s last month.
They have been negotiating over £700,000 with Martin’s release clause for Championship clubs and Premier League sides different.
After their relegation, the Saints thought they should pay a smaller amount (around £1.25million) while the Swans are holding out for the £2million.
As Duff still has two years remaining on his Oakwell contract, Swansea would have to pay compensation if they were to formally act on their interest.
Swansea are understood to have held talks with Chris Davies over the possibility of bringing the 38-year-old back to having already served as an analyst prior to following Brendan Rodgers to Liverpool in 2012.
However, the 38-year-old has also been linked with joining Ange Postecoglou’s backroom staff at Tottenham.
Swansea had also been linked with former Brugge boss Carl Hoefkens and ex-Southampton and Luton manager Nathan Jones, although neither were said to be in contention for the role.
Duff is the clear top target, having guided the team to the League One playoffs in just one year of his tenure at Oakwell.
The Tykes were defeated by Sheffield Wednesday 1-0 at the end of the extra minute in the final match played at Wembley.
Duff spent four years as Cheltenham’s manager, going on to win League Two in 2021 before cementing their place in League One.
Last summer, he joined Barnsley, where he finished fourth in the last season.
Should Duff join Swansea it’ll be a much deserved move to the Championship. Worked wonders at Cheltenham on a tiny budget and had Barnsley playing above themselves last term.
— Nick Mashiter (@nickmashiter) June 18, 2023
Rob Staton @robstaton adds: “Big test for #BarnsleyFC. They’ve been very prepared to replace coaches in the past but Michael Duff is different. If there’s anything they can do to avoid losing him this summer, do it and then some.”
Here’s what Twitter users have said as Swansea make an approach for the League One boss to become their new manager…
@louorns: If this gets completed, it’s a smart appointment on a number of levels; I understand it’s not the “Swansea Way” but Duff is a very adaptive and capable manager. And if they find themselves in the top flight; his style of football is suited to sustaining PL status
@KieranCraig2016: I’m all for Michael Duff coming in. He would be some appointment. Has altered his approach from Cheltenham to Barnsley and plays to their strengths, can only be positive about him as a manager and the experience with working with young players too.
@TomOTPE: Not that he has gone yet, but I must say, if Michael Duff does leave, we cannot give the job to Martin Devaney. You cannot doubt he cares for the club – but he is not up to the standard we need at this moment in time. To make the Anderson/Wilson comparison is lazy. #BarnsleyFC
@cobrien84: Don’t understand why the clubs board are getting the abuse. Duff will have a release clause in his contract, if that’s met then the club are powerless and it’s one man’s decision. Club moves on, they appointed Duff, they will appoint the right man. Have faith #barnsleyfc #bfc
@kris_jowett:
Duff to Swansea, will it happen? Not sure
If it does I fear this could be bigger than the on pitch impact. Alot of building has been done on relationship between club & fans this past 12 months this could derail it
Managers do come & go but we need some consistency
#barnsleyfc
@jimmyson82: Good manager Duff. Really rate him. Big blow for Barnsley as I fancy them for L1 title next year in a weaker L1 than last year.
@sufcdan12: Don’t get this personally duffs a good manager but plays very different to Martin what’s the point playing one style for years then changing it all up bring in another coach who plays the same style and build this is why clubs like this just stay mid table consistently
@AlSmith_tykemad: We need stability not instability..last Manager we had for 2 years was Simon Davey! Continuity is key to success! One Season wonder coaches isn’t the answer😡
@twhitter1887: I love Michael Duff, he’s brilliant all round and I wish him every success in the future if he goes. Barnsley is Barnsley though, trust in what is being built, either with him or without him. Our future is bright. You’re either with us or you’re not. #barnsleyfc #YouReds
@BenjMellor: If Duff does move on, he’s not exempt from criticism. You can’t testify your loyalty by using Burnley and Cheltenham as your only other previous clubs, then leave at this first opportunity. He’d be as bad as anyone else. #barnsleyfc
@rhys_scfc_: Football is a results business, end of. Duff got Cheltenham promoted& Barnsley within whiskers of getting back to the Championship. That’s already significantly better than what Russell Martin has done at MK Dons & Swansea. Looking forward to this season now! #Swans
@DrZazlos: Big test of our new board’s resolve and if lessons have been learnt 🤞 Last thing we need is to be back on the Managerial merry go round 😭😭😭
@miles_mcdermott: Honestly @BarnsleyFC this better not happen again. Every single time we have a decent season this happens. No wonder the fans get tired of it.
@tarnchick: Would be gutted if Duff goes but ultimately it is about what is right for him. Hopefully he sees unfinished business with us and stays #barnsleyfc 🤞
@kylebarretttt: If it happens and we get some pe teacher from Austria and not a decent upcoming uk manager like duff was im fucking done with this club
@CurtisTheJack: So we reckon that Michael Duff will be the man that will replace Russell Martin then. I mean his football style is more Steve Cooper but all that matters is the results that we get. He’s a manager that will get us results looking of what he’s done. Let’s get it done. #Swans

You must be logged in to post a comment Login