Michael Reeves
There are plenty of rumours flying around this week about Russell Martin’s trip to the States that are deemed to be about contract talks and the club’s plans for the summer.
The initial noise was that the talks would likely lead to an extended contract for the Swans boss but similarly additional rumours yesterday suggested that talks did not go as we would plan and there were increased suggestions that this could lead to his departure from the club with Southampton seemingly more than just a suggestion for the next step on his managerial journey.
Whichever side of those rumours you sit as far as your hope stands the only real thing that matters is that this summer is not allowed to descend into the farce that was the summer of 2021 when Steve Cooper pretty much signalled his departure in the post match interview on the pitch at Wembley after defeat by Brentford.
We were then left in the limbo as our ownership group stumbled around the departure awaiting the compensation they desired before having to let him go before watching as we were left with the season eve to bring in the new manager. The new manager of course being Russell Martin.
Since then we have seen two seasons where Martin has slowly developed his authority on the club and his playing style albeit not without a bump or two in the road and certainly not without those who are less convinced about the process than Russ.
We had the farce of this January’s transfer window which came in the middle of a pretty depressive run of form that would have seen managerial changes at most clubs so you did wonder whether this one was purporting to be different and sticking with the manager was certainly part of the ethos.
Jake Silverstein said so and even Andy “one tweet” Coleman was at the heart of it with Russ himself saying that the new Chairman was keen to extend the managers stay at the stadium.
So with this going on and a nine game unbeaten run at the end of the season it seemed almost inevitable that we would go through the summer with a possible extended contract for the manager and a plan to build on those nine games and a push to improve next season.
Of course we caveat that all we hear at the moment is a series of rumours but the mumbling that the talks are not going well is increasing and I have always been a firm believer in the statement that there is no smoke without fire.
That bit though probably isn’t really important at the moment as the ownership group will make the decisions that they want no matter what the viewpoint of the fans here in SA1. What is important that if they have made the decision that Russ is no longer their man that they make it quick and we move on and get in someone new before we waste yet another transfer window. Sadly though the record of speedy and efficient decisions is not always linked to the people running the club so it may turn into wishful thinking rather than anything we can hang our hat on.
If they do (or indeed have) made the decision that Martin is not their man then we have to question the logic of the second half of our season. Sticking with him on the back of poor results and losing him on the back of good seems like a decision made looking at things back to front but then again we have form for that kind of thing so maybe it shouldn’t be a surprise.
I shouldn’t though be here talking as if the rumours are 100% true and this is definitely happening but what is for certain at the moment is that we have a period of uncertainty going on at a time when we should be clear what the next few months should bring for us and that is unacceptable. On every level.
Similarly if we are keen to continue with Russ at the helm then the same decision needs to be taken quickly and we certainly need an extended contract if only for the security that it affords both side of that deal. Let’s not let this drag on in the way we have become accustomed to with our negotiating skills. If we want him, we reach agreement soon and he can crack on with his own summer plans in terms of working on what he needs to add to the squad.
Either way, lets not repeat the mistakes of 2021
This does not have a good feel to it .Despite what some contributors say on this website Swansea as a club mean very little to the owners . Our history and even our prospects for next season will not be their top priority .
Surely Russell Martin and the players have done enough in the last three months to earn some positive backing .
Both Martin and Levein are strong men and after the disappointment and ill-feeling of January it is hard to see them reaching a compromise .
if they pull the plug, or Russ is not happy with what’s on offer, it will cause carnage, whenever the decision is done.
Players we need to, will not renew contracts.
Targets like Ogbene, even if we could offer a wage he would accept, will not come. As with other players. Certainly not until a new manager is in place, and even then, they’ll question the club’s ambition.
Some say there is no loyalty in football. i think there are players in the club that will be so disillusioned – as they were in January – if Martin goes, that they will want out.
Why not name and shame the people who falsely rumoured about the contract extension yesterday. Very surprised this site posted it. I mean what sort of site are you running here. Russell Martin fully deserves a new contract and some backing. Do you honestly think a new manager will get serious backing with this lot in charge
There was no post on here about a contract extension – you must be confusing us with Twitter?
The longer the silence the more likely Russell Martin is to leave
Dont boost youreselves up for anthing good ..the owners will get good money for the players .then a small compensation for martin.we go back to start bringing the youth up .its the way of the small clubs .
History repeating itself. The last two managers and now Nigel Martin have received NO financial backing from the board. The powers that be are quite content to sell players at Swansea who have developed into a valuable asset. The old FAMILY 👪 feel has disappeared from this club for quite a while. Where do we go from here?