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Alan Curtis
- Joined
- Jun 27, 2020
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According to Stu James:
Steve Cooper is stepping down from his position as Swansea City head coach little more than two weeks before the start of the new Championship season.
It is understood that an official announcement will be made within the next 24 hours, confirming that Cooper and Swansea have agreed to part company by mutual consent. The 41-year-old is now expected to take a break from management.
Although Cooper led Swansea to the Championship play-offs in each of his two seasons in charge, the relationship between the Welshman and key figures at the club has been strained for some time, and there was also a clear sense that he would welcome a fresh challenge.
Cooper was shortlisted for the vacancies at Crystal Palace and Fulham this summer, yet nothing materialised and in many ways that left both parties in a difficult position, especially as the former England Under-17 coach had entered the final year of his contract.
Why is Cooper leaving?
His time at Swansea had run its course. Cooper clearly felt that he had taken the club as far as he could — this promises to be a challenging season with the parachute payments coming to an end and the prospect of more key players departing — and there was also some tension behind the scenes.
As for Swansea, they risked going through the motions for a season if Cooper stayed on.
Is this a surprise?
Not to Swansea supporters.
There was a feeling after the play-off final defeat against Brentford in May that Cooper was delivering a farewell message as he reflected on the previous two years in charge. On top of that, Cooper has been strongly linked with other jobs and it was obvious that he saw his future elsewhere.
Who might the club turn to next?
This decision hasn’t come out of the blue for those working inside the club and that means Swansea have had the chance to sound out replacements; an appointment is expected swiftly.
Swansea will target a coach who is keen to work with young players and play an attractive brand of football. It is understood that they already have a name in mind.
Steve Cooper is stepping down from his position as Swansea City head coach little more than two weeks before the start of the new Championship season.
It is understood that an official announcement will be made within the next 24 hours, confirming that Cooper and Swansea have agreed to part company by mutual consent. The 41-year-old is now expected to take a break from management.
Although Cooper led Swansea to the Championship play-offs in each of his two seasons in charge, the relationship between the Welshman and key figures at the club has been strained for some time, and there was also a clear sense that he would welcome a fresh challenge.
Cooper was shortlisted for the vacancies at Crystal Palace and Fulham this summer, yet nothing materialised and in many ways that left both parties in a difficult position, especially as the former England Under-17 coach had entered the final year of his contract.
Why is Cooper leaving?
His time at Swansea had run its course. Cooper clearly felt that he had taken the club as far as he could — this promises to be a challenging season with the parachute payments coming to an end and the prospect of more key players departing — and there was also some tension behind the scenes.
As for Swansea, they risked going through the motions for a season if Cooper stayed on.
Is this a surprise?
Not to Swansea supporters.
There was a feeling after the play-off final defeat against Brentford in May that Cooper was delivering a farewell message as he reflected on the previous two years in charge. On top of that, Cooper has been strongly linked with other jobs and it was obvious that he saw his future elsewhere.
Who might the club turn to next?
This decision hasn’t come out of the blue for those working inside the club and that means Swansea have had the chance to sound out replacements; an appointment is expected swiftly.
Swansea will target a coach who is keen to work with young players and play an attractive brand of football. It is understood that they already have a name in mind.
