Swindon sack their manager after 8 months in charge and name interim manager

Swindon sack their manager after 8 months in charge and name a new interim manager in Gavin Gunning for the foreseeable future.

The club issued a statement on Monday at 12pm, confirming the decision that Flynn and Wayne Hatswell had left following “amicable discussions”.

Flynn was appointed back in May last year and signed a contract extension at the beginning of November to run until the end of the 2025-26 campaign.

But time was called on his stay after his side won just three of their past 15 matches, with 10 of them being defeats.

The Robins currently sit 15th in the League Two table with 24 points from 28 games played after suffering a 2-1 defeat away at Crewe on Saturday.

Swindon Town Football Club have parted company with Michael Flynn and Wayne Hatswell.#STFC

— Swindon Town Football Club (@Official_STFC) January 15, 2024

CLUB STATEMENT:

Swindon Town can confirm both first-team manager, Michael Flynn, and assistant Wayne Hatswell, have left the club with immediate effect.

As a result of amicable discussions, Michael and the owner have agreed terms upon which he will leave his role with immediate effect.

Following the decision, Michael added: “I want to thank the owner for the opportunity to manage this great Football Club and wish everyone associated, especially the fans the very best for the future.”

Everyone here at the football club would like to express their sincere thanks to Michael and Wayne for their commitment and hard work during their time with Swindon Town and wish them all the best in the future.

Gavin Gunning will take charge of the first team on an interim head coach basis.

Head of Football Jamie Russell will also continue to oversee the football operations alongside Gavin and Clem, with a new-look coaching team going forwards.

Chairman Clem Morfuni would also like to place on record his thanks to Michael for his efforts since his appointment.

He said: “Firstly, I would like to thank Michael and Wayne for their efforts during their time at the club and wish them all the best in the future.

“I have confidence that Gavin can deliver a successful campaign for the remainder of the 2023/24 season and this starts with Saturday’s game against Tranmere.

“We hope our supporters will continue to back the first team and the new coaching staff we have in place, as we look to build a positive, successful environment across STFC.”

Flynn said in his post match interview, as per Swindon Advertiser: “It is [the same things happening again]. If you can’t defend the box too well then you tend to concede goals and we have conceded way too many this season.

“For the second one we have left a big gap where the midfielders have vacated the area.

“I don’t know why we have just run out of that space where Conor Thomas was and he then basically had the freedom of the box to run into.

“That then diverts one of our defenders to him because he was free and then that gives you the free man because we didn’t react quick enough or well enough to adjust to that.

“I am going to be respectful because I felt that the players actually did alright today as they put a shift in and they stuck together.

“They had moments in the game, obviously we need to be better than that, but I am not going to start going on about things.

“There is a bit of responsibility from the players and we look at the game plan, but I think the game plan worked reasonably well today apart from our defending of the box.”

He added: “We needed freshening up and they are three players who I thought would make us stronger and I think they all had reasonably good debuts.

“I thought Jack [Bycroft] was outstanding with his calmness and his kick selection was excellent apart from one or two at the beginning.

“He is a lifelong Swindon fan so there are going to be nerves, but I thought that he was very accomplished and I was very pleased for him because I know how much it means to him.

“Paul [Glatzel] and Dawson [Devoy] worked hard, they blew up a little bit at the end because they are not used to the intensity week in and week out.

“[Paul’s] movement was very good and he was looking to get on the shoulder and when he does drop in he finds that pocket of space and I saw enough of his finishing yesterday to know that he can finish.”

This is how fans reacted as Swindon sack their manager after 8 months in charge and name an interim manager…

@OJRestorations: Flynn be laughing to the bank with his payoff. Next up, someone buy out clem please x

@JoArcher7: Well whilst I am not surprised, I am also concerned. What next? Lack of money, lack of players, what a shambles. Worrying times. Buckle up people this is going to be a bumpy downhill ride #STFC

@Footyboyboy33: Definitely wasn’t all on him

@lennonskinner1: This guy had 11 senior players to work with the last 3 months, when we had a full squad available we were unbeaten for a long time this is an absolute joke CLEM OUT

@Cameron93622491: What now then? Without investment no manager succeeds 🤷🏻‍♂️

@dave01921275: Scapegoat! For me the wrong choice. The issue was the number of players he had available. I’m disappointed to hear this news, the only news i want to hear at the minute is proper investment in the playing squad of this club #stfc

@MarkBirtles: The curse of losing to Crewe strikes again

@adimale1981: Shifting the deck chairs on the Titanic 😬

@DMoore0612: Now for Clem to go….

@DeanMcMackin: Bet he took the 3 or 4 new signings he wanted with him eh

@Adair_____: Gunning til the end of the season 🤣😂 just sell up Clem

@collinso41: Sacked a manager for not having a squad to play with 😂

@PaddyStavros: Absolute car crash of a football club. Sooner the owner and hangers on have gone too the better.

@Mikeybacon85: Didn’t think last weeks signings were his.. no way that’s what Flynn would have wanted to try and address the issues this team has

@Ben_SK3: Should have been given more time. Shameful behaviour from the fans who drove him out!

@BassMasterRich: Flynn had to go with his record, but Gunning until the end of the season is a risk regardless of what coaches he has with him. Maybe a sale between now and the summer is on Clem’s agenda? #stfc

@roblockyear90: Mad gav till end of season fuckin hell 😂😂

@Ryan__Jones9: Flynn did have good intentions but he was ultimately absolutely useless, but in terms of the direction I don’t know where we go from here. Clem and his merry band of gangsters need to be next out of the door #stfc

@KTestfc13: What a surprise, another transfer window without a manager. There’s a pattern forming here Clem Mor-phoney #stfc tennis balls at the ready

@59Graham: Shambles of a club

@joerosswilliams: The acrobat has fallen off the trapeze, but the clown car will still be running the circus. #stfc

@zga_1997: Apart from getting Newport to punch above their weight he’s an absolute failure of a manager, surely won’t get another job at this level now

@AaronLockyear: Hms piss the league is back on 🤣

@ZaaanderSmith: Fuck sake they would have to sack him right before Saturday woudnt they. No doubt we will be the victims of a manager bounce now.

@beckylawrence11: Gav gunning until end of season because I’m skint have no money. Let’s just admit it you fraud

@joteddyuk: Given his record probably the right decision but the buck stops with Morfuni. Already have no money and now need to pay them off more after extending contracts. Joke of an owner…..Get out our club!