Michael Reeves
There were very few people who foresaw the news that broke yesterday evening with the Swans parting company with Michael Duff just twenty league games into his career as Swansea City manager.
With the Swans eighteenth in the league table and just five points ahead of the relegation zone maybe it should not have been that much of a surprise but when you consider the patience shown to Russell Martin last season you wondered if this was a managerial appointment that would see out the season as a bare minimum.
You therefore start to wonder whether there is more to this than just results on the pitch but whatever happened to force a premature end to Duff’s tenure at Swansea City the big question that ended on everyone’s lips was what next for Swansea City.
It is very rare that a club makes a managerial change before the compensation for the manager before the now last one has departed but this is what the Swans now have as they start a second managerial search of 2023.
The name of Nathan Jones was almost immediately linked with the vacancy but close sources have suggested that this is not the case. John Eustace was another one linked having been close to the job on previous occasions but again the early indications are that this may not be the case.
What I would suggest at this point though is that this is not a knee jerk reaction to a scraped draw against Huddersfield but certainly something that has been brewing for some time. Even back as early as prior to a first win of the season against Sheffield Wednesday it was suggested that Duff was on borrowed times and now that “loan” has been cashed in. That tells me that the club could well be some distance down the way of deciding who the replacement would be. Could we even go as far as assuming that potential candidates have been sounded out? It’s not totally unconceivable is it?
The club statement contained these words from Andy Coleman “I acknowledge that there has been a significant amount of change at the club, both on and off the pitch, during Michael’s tenure. I consistently asked for patience as we gave him time to implement his plans and bring the squad together.
“Unfortunately, we have seen neither the results that we expect nor the progress from the squad that we need. I believe it is now in the best interests of Swansea City to make a change of head coach.”
Coleman was one of the first to call for patience when Duff was first appointed but it seems that patience was running thin with results and performances that has seen performances dip as well as results.
Nobody really knows just yet who will replace Michael Duff but my gut feel right now tells me that we will see a swift appointment being made. The weekend trip to Rotherham maybe just a little too soon for that to happen but there is, for me, a good chance something could happen ahead of Stoke away next midweek.
Never a dull moment!
At this stage last season we were 8th on 29 points so I don’t see the comparison (at this stage) with Martin.
Could we see it coming? Yes and no. Yes, because we knew he wasn’t up to the job at Swansea. But no., because our board has been loyal in giving managers time some times too much time.
While no one likes seeing people lose their employment it has to be said Duff was not only failing in football terms but he very quickly alienated fans and lost the players.
Having read Coleman’s explanation it seems impossiblethat the clyb would appoint Nathan Jones.
All along I’ve felt fans on the various forums have been unfair to Duff .We have an unbalanced squad and a mass of injuries but a lot of things were wrong ladt Saturday .
Knowing the way Huddersfield play getting 25% possession and relying on breakaways why did we go in with such a defendive midfield and leave Patino out?Why play Cullen again at right mid-field/ wing .He’s out of position and probably out of his depth.
So many players seemed off their game – Cabango , Fulton Grimes – you’d have to wonder if there was a deeper problem.
Although the substitutions at half time helped that eleven could never be a long – term solution in the championship.
I was okay with giving Duff some time, seeing that the swans had lots of new faces. However, I lost my faith in him when he refused to promote some of the U-21’s. Players like Wilson, Fletcher, Parker, Lissah, Veevers, & Lloyd, who are playing so well, IMO should get consideration of playing time, especially if the 1st team is struggling. By not playing Patino til late in the game, & who seemed of late to be in Duff’s doghouse, says it all about the coach’s ability to read/understand his players.
If Coleman was prepared to give Duff more time then who sacked him ?
Personally I was pleased with Duff but the industry is a RESULTS based position. Michael Duff was professional and will go on to manage again as have Cooper,Potter and Russell Martin ! Common denominator is AMERICAN OWNERS who have no idea what they are doing !
Yes Duff was the wrong appointment from the start and me I have been a true supporter of the Swans for well over 50 years through thick and thin and said long ago things went wrong when them two of Levine and Kaplan bought the club all them years ago promised us everything then nothing and now look at were we are now good managers have come and gone through lack of investment in bringing in good players well let us hope that the board have learnt were they went wrong and employ a manager that will take the Swans back to were we belong and give the funds he needs who ever he will be .
Should have let Duff manage the Rotherham game and then make a decision. He’s had a nightmare from day one from the n’cham incident, injuries with key players and not knowing if Piroe was staying or going. Not forgetting two red cards chucked in. The players want to take a good look at themselves as well. A lot of fans have only experienced the good times and the Huddersfield game was always going to be a dog fight. The new manager will have key players returning soon and that will be a bitter pill to swallow for Duff….Duff deserved Better
Got to give people time, we are a selling club at the end of the day, there will never be any funds available at this club, we have had years of it now