Sunday Extra | Legacy Check: Where Do Past Swans Managers Rank in the Modern Era?

As Swansea City continue to shape their identity under Alan Sheehan, it’s only natural for fans to reflect on the managers who’ve come before him. From the heights of Wembley to the depths of mid-table obscurity, each era has left its mark—tactically, emotionally, and culturally.

But how do these managers truly compare? Who left the strongest legacy, and who faded into footnote territory? In this week’s Sunday Extra, we take a deep dive into the modern managerial lineage of Swansea City, ranking them not just by results, but by impact.

We take a look back at managers since we gained promotion to the Premier League and provided the ranking.

🧠 The Criteria: More Than Just Points Per Game

To assess legacy, we’ve looked at five key factors:

1. Tactical Identity – Did the manager leave a recognisable style?
2. Squad Development – Were players improved or stagnated?
3. Fan Connection – Did supporters feel represented?
4. Club Trajectory – Did the club progress or regress under their watch?
5. Lasting Influence – Are their ideas still felt today?

🥇 Michael Laudrup (2012–2014)

Legacy Status: Iconic Key Achievements: League Cup winner, European qualification, tactical evolution

Laudrup’s reign remains the most romanticised in Swansea’s modern history—and for good reason. His blend of continental flair, calm authority, and ruthless efficiency brought the club its first major trophy and a memorable Europa League run.

He inherited Brendan Rodgers’ possession-based blueprint but added verticality and counter-attacking sharpness. Michu, De Guzmán, and Chico Flores became cult heroes, and the 5–0 demolition of Bradford at Wembley is etched into club folklore.

Despite a sour ending and boardroom tensions, Laudrup’s legacy is untouchable. He made Swansea feel like a European club—and for a brief moment, we were.

🥈 Brendan Rodgers (2010–2012)

Legacy Status: Architect Key Achievements: Promotion to the Premier League, tactical identity, squad harmony

Rodgers laid the foundations for Swansea’s golden era. His possession-based philosophy, inspired by Spanish football, transformed the club’s style and earned promotion via the 2011 play-offs. The 4–2–3–1 system, built around Leon Britton, Joe Allen, and Scott Sinclair, became the blueprint for years to come.

Rodgers also fostered a strong dressing room culture and gave fans a sense of pride in the club’s identity. His departure to Liverpool was bittersweet, but his legacy remains foundational—he made Swansea believe in footballing ideals.

🥉 Graham Potter (2018–2019)

Legacy Status: Cult Hero Key Achievements: Tactical rebuild, youth integration, post-relegation stabilisation

Potter only spent one season in charge, but his impact was seismic. Taking over after relegation and a mass exodus, he rebuilt the squad with academy graduates and bargain-bin signings. His fluid 4-2-3-1 and positional rotations were ahead of their time in the Championship.

Players like Connor Roberts, Joe Rodon, and Daniel James flourished under his guidance, and fans admired his honesty and intelligence. While results were inconsistent, the football was brave—and the club’s identity began to re-emerge.

Potter’s departure to Brighton felt inevitable, but his legacy remains one of restoration and hope.

4️⃣ Steve Cooper (2019–2021)

Legacy Status: Pragmatic Success Key Achievements: Two play-off finishes, defensive solidity, smart loans

Cooper’s tenure was divisive. On paper, he delivered—back-to-back play-off campaigns and a clear defensive structure. But stylistically, his football often felt cautious, and the emotional connection with fans never fully materialised.

That said, Cooper was a master of the loan market. Marc Guehi, Conor Gallagher, Rhian Brewster, and Freddie Woodman all arrived under his watch, and his England youth links gave Swansea access to elite talent.

His exit to Nottingham Forest was met with mixed feelings, but his legacy is one of results over romance—and for some, that’s enough.

5️⃣ Russell Martin (2021–2023)

Legacy Status: Ideologue Key Achievements: Possession dominance, player development, polarising style

Martin arrived with a clear philosophy: possession, patience, and positional play. At times, it worked beautifully—Swansea led the league in passes completed and dominated games territorially. But the lack of cutting edge and defensive frailty often undermined the aesthetics.

Supporters were split. Some admired the ambition and tactical clarity; others grew frustrated with sideways football and late collapses. Players like Joel Piroe and Matt Grimes thrived, but promotion never felt truly close.

Martin’s legacy is one of ideas over execution. He changed how Swansea played—but not where they finished.

6️⃣ Carlos Carvalhal (2017–2018)

Legacy Status: Short-Term Spark Key Achievements: Memorable quotes, brief revival, eventual relegation

Carvalhal’s tenure was colourful but ultimately unsuccessful. He arrived mid-season with charisma and metaphors—“lobsters and sardines”—and briefly lifted the mood with wins over Arsenal and Liverpool.

But the bounce faded, and Swansea were relegated. His tactical approach was reactive, and squad cohesion suffered. While fans enjoyed his personality, the football lacked structure and long-term planning.

His legacy is more anecdotal than tactical—a reminder that charm alone isn’t enough.

7️⃣ Paul Clement (2017–2018)

Legacy Status: Survival Specialist Key Achievements: Great escape, defensive discipline, tactical rigidity

Clement’s greatest achievement was keeping Swansea up in 2017, masterminding wins over Liverpool and Arsenal. His compact 4-3-3 and reliance on set pieces worked in the short term, but his second season unravelled quickly.

The football became stale, and player development stalled. His reluctance to adapt tactically led to his dismissal, and the club’s downward spiral accelerated.

Clement’s legacy is one of short-term success and long-term stagnation.

8️⃣ Francesco Guidolin (2016)

Legacy Status: Forgotten Footnote Key Achievements: Mid-table finish, tactical flexibility, limited impact

Guidolin arrived quietly and left quietly. He stabilised the team after Garry Monk’s departure and secured a respectable finish, but his methods never fully resonated with players or fans.

His legacy is minimal—not negative, but not memorable either.

9️⃣ Garry Monk (2014–2015)

Legacy Status: Club Man Turned Manager Key Achievements: Record Premier League points tally, early promise, tactical decline

Monk’s first full season was impressive—an eighth-place finish and wins over Manchester United and Arsenal. But his second season exposed tactical limitations, and results nosedived.

As a former captain, Monk had emotional capital with fans, but his managerial arc felt rushed. His legacy is bittersweet: a club legend who flew too close to the sun.

🆕 Alan Sheehan (2025–)

Legacy Status: In Progress Key Achievements: Tactical clarity, fan engagement, early promise

It’s too early to rank Sheehan definitively, but the signs are promising. His press conferences are honest, his tactics are coherent, and his connection with fans is growing. The win over Sheffield United and the emergence of Malick Yalcouyé suggest a manager building something real.

If he can solve the striker issue and maintain momentum, Sheehan could climb this list quickly.

🧭 What Should Swansea Always Look For in a Manager?

If history has taught us anything, it’s that Swansea thrive under managers who embody certain core traits:

• Tactical Clarity – Whether possession-based or pragmatic, the best managers have a clear identity.
• Player Development – From Michu to Rodon, the club has always benefited from coaches who improve individuals.
• Fan Connection – Emotional resonance matters. Managers who respect the club’s culture earn patience and support.
• Adaptability – The Championship is unforgiving. Tactical flexibility and in-game management are essential.
• Alignment with Club Values – Swansea’s best eras came when manager, board, and squad were pulling in the same direction.

As Alan Sheehan continues his journey, these principles should guide the club’s long-term thinking. Because legacy isn’t built in a season—it’s built in moments, values, and belief.