Top six favourites to become new Swansea City manager after sacking Michael Duff

In this article, we take a look at the top six favourites to become new Swansea City manager after the sacking of Michael Duff.

Head coach Michael Duff was axed after less than six months in charge of the Championship club, with the club currently on a run of just one victory from their last eight matches, the result leaving them 18th in the table with 21 points from 19 games played, 5 points above the drop zone.

The 45 year old, who left League One Barnsley to come to the Welsh outfit, had a tough stint in charge of Swansea, struggling to find that consistency.

Also leaving Swansea is Martin Paterson, with assistant head coach Alan Sheehan becoming caretaker boss for the time being until they find a new manager.

Sheehan will be at helm for his side’s next game, where they travel to second-from-bottom Rotherham, with Swansea looking to pick up their first win in five league games.

Swansea City can confirm the club has parted company with head coach Michael Duff.

👉 https://t.co/69o6v6tHZD pic.twitter.com/nKpLW4G1FO

— Swansea City AFC (@SwansOfficial) December 4, 2023

CLUB STATEMENT:

Swansea City can confirm the club has parted company with head coach Michael Duff.

Assistant head coach Martin Paterson has also left the club with immediate effect, with fellow assistant head coach Alan Sheehan assuming the role of caretaker head coach for an interim period.

The process to appoint a new head coach is already under way and the club will update supporters in due course.

Swansea City chairman Andy Coleman said: “This was a very difficult decision and one that was given considerable thought and attention.

“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.

“I know that Michael will be successful in his next opportunity and on behalf of the Board and the entire club, I wish him and Martin only the best in their future endeavours.

“I understand how important it is to reconnect the leadership of Swansea City Football Club with its supporters. That is one of the primary reasons why I moved here with my family this summer.

“Being present in Swansea matters, but so does taking responsibility. I will learn from the experience of these last several months. My appreciation for how critical the Swansea identity is to this club has grown since the summer and it will be high in my mind as I make the decision on our new head coach.”

FAVOURITES TO BECOME NEW SWANSEA MANAGER

Sky Bet – 5th Dec 2023 – 11am
Chris Davies – 6/4
Nathan Jones – 7/4
John Eustace – 7/1
Luke Williams – 10/1
Gary Rowett – 14/1
Steven Schumacher – 16/1
Alan Sheehan – 20/1

Sky Bet – 6th Dec 2023 – 9am
Chris Davies – 7/4
Nathan Jones – 2/1
Luke Williams – 6/1
Eric Ramsay – 8/1
Gary Rowett – 10/1
John Eustace – 10/1

Head coach Michael Duff said after the draw against Huddersfield at the weekend: “We have got to win the game. The numbers and stats tell you we should win the game.

“We haven’t and that is the frustration, we have had 80 per cent of possession and 25 shots on goal.

“We gifted them a goal which has been the story of our last few weeks, which gave them something to hang on to.

“We have scored in the last minute, which shows the lads have kept going, but we needed to be ruthless.

“There are no pats on the back, we have to start winning.

“Yannick brings what he brings, I think he blew up a bit in the last 10 or 15 minutes but we needed people to come on and affect the game.

“Charlie has come on and scored a good goal, and that is what we want.

“It was not an easy chance, it was a calm finish and he did okay when he came on.”

Twitter users gave their reaction with the top six favourites to become new Swansea City manager revealed after the sacking of Michael Duff…

@AlJack65: Eustace is available

@swansea_gav: First time we’ve sacked a manager since 2017, so not something the club take lightly. The atmosphere was toxic Saturday and barely 10,000 in attendance, something had to give. We rarely get a managerial appointment wrong, this was, here’s hoping we return to form.

@andybroomeBWFC: Holy shit. 0 time or patience or longevity in football these days. We are so blessed to have Sharon and co. Another reminder not to take this amazing era we find ourselves in for granted #bwfc

@MainyJ10: On a personal note it’s never nice to see someone lose their job but as I said on the weekend it did really feel it was a case of now or never in sacking Duff. Hopefully the whole fan base can look ahead and unite now with the new appointment. Not likely but we can hope…

@benny_berger: Strange move from Duff leaving Barnsley in the first place. Was the right club for him & the way he tried to built his career. He’ll get a job in League One, for sure. Not so sure it’s going to be a better place than Barnsley. Could have pushed for automatic promotion with them.

@callumcooper18: Get this appointment right please

@SwansBlog: I wish Michael the best for his next job. His style of play and personality were never going to work, it was obvious almost from day 1. That’s not his fault though. That’s the fault of the people who appointed him. Let’s hope they have learned their lesson.

@SamThomas888: Get Luke Williams in and let’s play football again 🙏

@JDSCFC: Same number of points as us, in fact we’ve lost 2 more games than them. Meanwhile, we’ve lost 10 in 19 this season & our manager hasn’t even won a third of his total matches at Stoke in over a year in charge. Someone wake John Coates up from his hibernation for the love of God. #stokecity

@LiamBessent: Good fucking riddance, arrogant waste of space, almost half a season wasted but least it’s done, onwards and upwards 🦢

@TheAverageBrian: Wish him the best but clearly wasn’t working. Let’s get someone in ahead of the window and refocus the rest of the way

@ElliottJamess: I feel like we’ve just won a penalty and I’m too nervous to celebrate because I don’t know what’s coming next

@scfcdavies: Don’t you dare appoint Nathan jones

@antsjames84: Clearly wasnt working but i feel a little sorry for him. Was up against it with our fanbase from the start, yet fans were wanking and saying they had got it wrong when we won 4 in a row. When a replacement comes in, are the fans going to get behind him and give him time?

@IANSOUTHARD: Use common sense now board and Yanks! Dont go for the cheap option do your due diligence, get your number 1 target in, not the poundstretcher option. This is your chance to try & fix everything you have got wrong & go again! Get the best person for the club not the bank balance!

@esaum: It shows again how poor people are at truly listening. In the summer ‘a win at all costs’ approach was introduced in a club with an engrained DNA and culture. Never going to work. After 7 months our chairman has learnt that fact. Talk to people, listen to people.

@garryleechswans: “Being present in Swansea matters. My appreciation for how critical the Swansea identity is to this club has grown since the summer and it will be high in my mind as I make the decision on our new head coach” Certainly a parting shot at Duff but also admitting they got it wrong!

@scfcharvey: If you appoint Nathan Jones, we’re over.

@conner_1875: You have to question why Swansea, a club with the ethos it has and the demands of possession based football appointed Michael Duff in the first place. No evidence in his past two jobs he could set a team up to play that way successfully. Duff to #RUFC is the perfect match. #Swans

@dhunter1993: Should go after Tony Mowbray

@euanmorriss: Give it to giggsy

@matt_voyzey: EUSTACE IN PLEASEEEE

@jack_scfc20: Delighted. Has killed my passion for this club in the last few months. We’ve got a decent squad and can actually make something of this season still with the right man in charge.

@EddieIsAJack: COME ON EUSTACE BABY

@CJTMHealy: Saints fan here – please, please don’t stink your club out with Nathan Jones. He’d be out of his depth with a Sunday League team. Far better options out there for you. And good luck for the rest of your season 😇

@charlie_p97: Show Eustace holding the scarf

GET HIM IN pic.twitter.com/o2wAAQUNX5

— Liam 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🦢 (@LiamaThomas21) December 4, 2023