Trystan Bending returns to Swansea Independent for another insightful take on the challenges ahead for Chairman, Andrew Coleman.
Swansea City: Stick or Twist ? Wise advice follows.
Michael Duff was sacked on Monday night. It has been a few days since the unexpected turn of events and sure the media is doing their best to present possible candidates. The question Andy Coleman needs to consider is whether he needs to stick with the fan’s emotions and venture for a manager that can possibly present football Swansea city fans admire. This includes a more possession based, tikka taka football very much representative of our premier league era. In contrast, will Coleman consider our current league position and find someone with experience in the league who will win by other means, similar to the success of Steve Cooper? With Rotherham coming up on Saturday it’s unlikely a new manager will be appointed by then but Coleman has assured fans the search for the manager began even before Duff’s departure.
Stick
In the last decade of our history Swansea have identified themselves as a football team that spectators would consider a joy to watch. We saw glimpses most recently from previous manager Russell Martin. It’s an identity fans and the community are proud to have. Fans would agree that this 2023 period has highlighted how far we are away from the Premier League. It is unfair to completely blame Michael Duff for this period, as he has only been here for a short spell, but it’s certainly easy to see why the club made the decision to sack him. Away from the results, Duff was disconnected with fans, not a crowd pleaser and certainly didn’t help himself in the media with comments underplaying the South Wales Derby. With so many challenges the club is facing at the minute, the manager Swansea bring in has to fit such unique criteria and it’s going to take a personality who can identify with Swansea fans to bring joy back to the club. One thing to consider with sticking however, is the patience of Swansea fans. To bring dynamic possession football, high press and attacking football back to the Swans.com it will be a longer process. I feel Swansea fans are certainly all for a manager willing to spend time at the club. However, this season, if this is the calibre of manager we appoint it should be considered a season for the manager to implement the system, a chance for mistakes and to learn. According to the BBC the two current favourites for the role are Chris Davies and Eric Ramsey. Both previously employees at Swansea City, the two candidates have managed to land assistant roles in the Premier League. Davies with Tottenham and Ramsey with Manchester United. The exposure both of them have had to, arguably two of the best coaches in the league, could prove vital. Both Davies and Ramsey reportedly play possession football, which tells us the type of manager the club is after.
Twist
Whilst Coleman quotes "My appreciation for how critical the Swansea identity is to the club has grown since the summer”, it does raise the debate as to if it is actually a healthy decision to put the identity of Swansea as the main point of focus in appointing the next manager. Perhaps the club needs to evolve and move away from this narrative that the manager has to play the ‘Swansea way’. Whilst Duff was a differential appointment for Swansea, not every manager will be as unpopular and play football the same way. A manager with experienced Championship seasons, playing unattractive football might be the way forward for the club. Whilst football is an entertainment industry it’s also a wining business. It’s obvious that the club wants to push for play offs this season. I think it’s a hard job for any manager in our current situation, but a manager with experience and a more simple than complex game plan may be able to bring instant success over a Chris Davies for example. It’s hard to estimate what fans would consider success, given our league possession, but a healthy finish near play offs would be a realistic end to this season.A few suggestions for this category of manager could be Tony Mobrway and John Estuace.
I believe the best decision is to stick. Michael Duff was a manager who caused many faults, but the style of play was a major factor in this. Bringing in a manager with a point to prove and a philosophy that will hopefully be similar to our Roberto Martinez era, will be heartily welcomed by every Swansea fan. Relegation is always a possibility, but if we are realistic a mid season finish is more then likely. This is the perfect opportunity for the players to learn under our new manager.
Tristan Bending can be found at @TrystanBending on Twitter : From there you will see his astute take on the Swans every day.