Phil SumblerAs the managerial hunt continues the name of former Chelsea and Leeds United midfielder Jody Morris is one that we are being told is the new man the Swans are turning to as a replacement of Steve Cooper after first choice John Eustace opted to stay at QPR.
Morris has previously been assistant to Frank Lampard at Derby and moved to Chelsea under Lampard but left the club earlier this year when the latter was sacked due to the first team results.
Prior to writing this article there was also significant movement in the betting odds for Morris which also tends to back up a source and whilst managerial odds don’t take much to move, any significant move tends to suggest that he is being backed and that isn’t something that happens out of the blue as word “leaks”
Morris – at the time of writing – stands behind the likes of both Cameron Toshack and Alan Tate in the odds but we are hearing that he could well be the man that the Swans turn to as they look to complete their managerial hunt and give the new man chance enough to work with the squad ahead of the season opener at Blackburn in just under two weeks time.
It was speculated earlier this summer that Morris was after his first managerial job and was prepared to cut loose from Lampard as both considered their next moves after four months out of the job. Lampard of course is someone who knows Swansea due to his time here at the start of his playing career and it could be that Morris sees this as the ideal chance to build his own reputation as a football manager.
42 year old Morris was hailed – with Lampard – as part of the great coaching teams of the future back in 2020 by the Sunday Times and speaking after leaving Chelsea earlier this year Morris said “It’s hurt twice previously that I’ve had to leave this great club, but it’s been on my terms and both times it was done with the bigger picture for myself and my family in mind…
“Yesterday was tough to take on all levels… I’ve always felt lucky to be able to say I’ve played for the team I’ve supported since I was a young boy growing up on north end road..
“I am also immensely proud to say I’ve been stood next to our gaffa, who has worked tirelessly to improve the players and the culture every single day.. us as your staff couldn’t ask for a better leader!! “
If sources are to be believed this evening then Morris could well be our man and the move in the bookies odds is a significant one for someone who barely had a mention as we went in pursuit of Eustace which suggests that things are afoot which backs what we are hearing.
Time will ultimately tell but it does feel that we could be moving closer to Jody to Swansea.
