BREAKING: THE JACKS 'SACK' DUFF

Swansea sack Head Coach Duff Mickey
BBC Sport

Some sections of Swansea support were unhappy with Michael Duff's style of play as well as poor results

Swansea City have sacked head coach Michael Duff after less than six months in charge of the Championship club.

Duff departs after a run of one win in eight matches and with Swansea sitting 18th in the table.

The 45-year-old had endured a difficult spell as Swansea boss, with the club struggling to find any consistency this season.

Martin Paterson has also left, with his fellow assistant head coach Alan Sheehan becoming caretaker boss.

Sheehan will start his temporary tenure on Saturday, as Swansea go in search of a first win in five league games at second-bottom Rotherham United.

Duff's brief reign began with a seven-game winless streak in the league - including a miserable derby defeat at Cardiff City - before a run of four straight wins lifted his side into the top half of the table.

But they have since taken six points from a possible 24, a worrying run which has cost Duff his job.

The former Cheltenham Town and Barnsley boss was booed by sections of Swansea's support after last Saturday's draw with Huddersfield.

Swansea City said in a statement that "the process to appoint a new head coach is already under way".

Duff left League One Barnsley to take over at Swansea in June following former boss Russell Martin's move to Southampton, signing a deal with the Swans until 2026.

The Welsh club made a host of changes behind the scenes and there was a major overhaul of the playing squad, with chairman Andy Coleman - who took up his role in May - suggesting Duff's side should be capable of challenging for promotion.

However, Swansea are only five points clear above the relegation zone having won just five of their 19 league games this season.

Swansea's style of play under Duff has been criticised, with the club moving away from the possession game which has been key to their successes in recent memory.

The former Cheltenham boss has also had an uneasy relationship with Swansea's fans.

'A learning experience'

Club chairman Coleman said: "This was a very difficult decision and one that was given considerable thought and attention.

"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.

"I have the greatest respect for Michael as a person and as a leader. I know how hard he and his staff have worked throughout this season for Swansea City.

"I want to personally thank Michael, Martin, and their families for the sacrifices they have made on behalf of this club and this city.

"I know that Michael will be successful in his next opportunity and on behalf of the board and the entire club, I wish him and Martin only the best in their future endeavours.

"I will learn from the experience of these last several months. My appreciation for how critical the Swansea identity is to this club has grown since the summer and it will be high in my mind as I make the decision on our new head coach."

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I was hoping he’d stay with them as they have been sh!t under him

I was hoping he’d stay with them as they have been sh!t under him

He was my favourite 'Jack' by some distance...!

Now that's a shite job to take. I don't think they'll go down, but it'll be a long season for them..

Sounds like a job for warnock LOL

Such a shame


On a serious note, they sold their top goalscorer without really replacing him. Their owners have been selling players on and not bringing in signings of the same quality.

I’m not sure what they expected to happen this season.

I do wonder who they will go with next.

Nathan Jones? John Eustace? Tony Mowbray?


Interesting that Nathan Jones rejected the Rotherham job today.

Would find it funny if he went there. Really don’t rate him as a manager, Stoke and Southampton proves that. Also another who wouldn’t play their style.

The Swansea board have not revealed their target for Duff's replacement but have said that it will be someone consistent with Swansea's style and identity. This means that anyone wearing stained grey marl tracksuit bottoms, scruffy white trainers, neck tattoos and an ankle tag will be all considered.

The Swansea board have not revealed their target for Duff's replacement but have said that it will be someone consistent with Swansea's style and identity. This means that anyone wearing stained grey marl tracksuit bottoms, scruffy white trainers, neck tattoos and an ankle tag will be all considered.

Perfect fit....!

I was hoping he’d stay with them as they have been sh!t under him

Sunderland AFC have parted company with Head Coach Tony Mowbray.

When you consider the so called 'Swansea way' or possession football, its like their the only team who is neat and tidy on the ball.

But I'm guessing their shortlist will include the likes of Potter, Eustace and Cameron Toshack.

This is a very important apppointment for them. Get it right, get it rigbt quickly and give the man money in Jan and they'll be ok. Get another 'Duff', delay the appt and have him work with the current squad, and they'll be lucky that there are three worse teams than them in the league!

Might be another Brad Bobbly type from across the pond?

When you consider the so called 'Swansea way' or possession football, its like their the only team who is neat and tidy on the ball.

But I'm guessing their shortlist will include the likes of Potter, Eustace and Cameron Toshack.

This is a very important apppointment for them. Get it right, get it rigbt quickly and give the man money in Jan and they'll be ok. Get another 'Duff', delay the appt and have him work with the current squad, and they'll be lucky that there are three worse teams than them in the league!

Given recent history, I doubt they’ll give their new manager money to spend.

Will they even have much money available?

Duff was on a three year deal so they would have had to pay that off.

Giggs!

They sold their top scorer did not replace him with anything any good and the two chairmen and all the 28 investors pocketed all the money between them. Just what did the club expect to happen

Swansea City manager hunt twist as top candidate ‘not interested’

Swansea's manager hunt is now underway after the club sacked Michael Duff on Monday night

John Eustace is not currently interested in replacing Michael Duff at Swansea City, WalesOnline has learned.

Eustace, who turned down the job shortly before Russell Martin took over in 2021, is currently out of work after leaving Birmingham City earlier this season and has been on the radar of the Swans board for some time.

However, while it's not clear if he has actually been officially approached to take the vacancy this time around, it's understood he wouldn't be tempted by a move at this stage.

Sunderland have also been strongly linked with the 44-year-old, having sacked their own manager Tony Mowbray this week. It remains to be seen whether a move to Wearside is now on the cards, but it certainly feels as though Eustace is holding out for what he considers a bigger job.