Why Watson chose Swans despite Luton Town Premier League chance

Paul Watson was officially confirmed as Sporting Director at Swansea yesterday as the latest piece of the summer jigsaw was completed and his move from Luton Town was confirmed.

As reported on Sunday, the Swans were in a position to appoint Watson but there has been little doubt that his influence has been felt already and we know that he was heavily involved in the recent managerial change that saw Russell Martin depart the club and Michael Duff appointed in his place.

Such was the faith that the new owners, and in particular the recent investors, placed in Watson he was allowed to lead negotiations with both Southampton and Barnsley for the managerial change ahead of his official appointment although that was created by an agreement with Luton Town.

The Swans move for Watson was first revealed back in April and his desire to join the Swans was pretty much confirmed then but never made official for a variety of reasons one of which was the Hatters wanting to ensure that nothing distracted from their desire to reach the Premier League.   That promotion was, of course, secured at the end of May but nothing was going to stop Watson arriving in SA1 by that point as his mind was already made up.

As he said himself on his appointment “We have had a number of discussions and we have agreed on a clear vision of where we want to be. The change of manager will help in some ways because they are fully aligned to how I see it, and how Josh and ownership are approaching things.”

Watson’s appointment is just the next stage of a full scale review of the club’s transfer strategies following the disaster that was the January window where the club failed to make a single signing during the month when it was clear to everyone who could see that signings were needed.

Watson is clearly experienced in matters such as player recruitment and he was clear yesterday that he needed reassurances that mistakes would not be made twice as he added “Ultimately, I was not here at that time, and I cannot really comment any further on that, but I certainly do not expect us to be in that place moving forward.

“January is a tough window to recruit in, but if we end up not signing anyone in the next January window, that will be because we have agreed that as a club and we will communicate that clearly.

“But going forward we have put plans and a framework in place to help ensure we are not in that place again, and that was a key point before I came in.”

Whilst those early discussions between the club’s hierarchy and Watson would not necessarily have involved any level of managerial change the approach of Southampton was the one that turned Russell Martin’s head and plans were put into place for his replacement.  And we know that last week those plans came to fruition when Michael Duff was confirmed as the new man at the helm.

What is clear is that the vision and plans of the new people at the club can make someone turn their back on a potential Premier League place and up sticks and move to SA1 to deliver on that vision.

Watson will be charged with overseeing all levels of player recruitment and work in harmony with Josh Marsh (who remains at the club) and Chairman Andy Coleman in a complete shift to last season.   That can surely only be another positive in what is continuing to be a summer that increases optimism ahead of the new season.

“Josh has got real good knowledge, I have enjoyed getting to know him and looking at the work he has done previous to my arrival,” added Watson.

“I think he has put in place a really good foundation that we want to evolve, we want to push forward from.

“We are working in tandem, he has helped me find my feet and we have worked well together, and long may that continue when it comes to pushing forward because recruitment is the first big challenge we are going to face.”

Coleman is clearly a fan of Watson with his words being glowing “In any business, it is rare to find someone who is universally praised for their character and capabilities. Paul is one of those few people,” said the Swans Chairman.

“He is an incredibly talented individual with tremendous football knowledge, and Swansea City needs football people making key football decisions.”

It really does feel at the moment as if we have a seismic change at the club.   Investments from Andy Coleman and Nigel Morris are confirmed whilst there is soon to be the investment from Brett Cravatt.   Add to that the appointment of Watson, the quick replacement of Martin with Duff it does feel that we are entitled to that level of optimism ahead of the new season.

As with everything the proof will always be in the pudding but these foundations are solid and packed with people who all have a vision that aligns to everyone’s desire for club growth.   And it feels some time as if we have been in a position where we are able to say that.   And it feels good.

The final word of course goes to our new Sporting Director who finished “I really enjoyed my five years at Luton with a good staff and foundation, but I felt this was the best move for my career after speaking to the ownership group and hearing their plans for the future from this point.

“I hope I can come in and have an influence, and get the club into a better place in the next few years.

“I have accumulated a lot of knowledge over the last five years, and I am hopeful of bringing that here and helping us have a clear plan of how we want to recruit, how we want to play and bring through our own players.

“It’s about having an aligned approach, because that provides the best platform for success on and off the field.”

Amen to that!