Swansea City fans were universally delighted today when the club confirmed the news that club legend Alan Curtis will return to the backroom staff to work with new manager Graham Potter.
Alan Curtis had worked as a coach amongst the first-team for well over a decade before he was suddenly relieved of his duties via text message when Paul Clement replaced Bob Bradley as our new boss in January 2017.
It's about time pic.twitter.com/Q5Wj93bAy3
— Nick J Selby (@NickJSelby) June 27, 2018
It was understandable that Clement wanted his own backroom staff, but the club hardly went about it in the right way. The decision was made seemingly on the day that Clement arrived, and the club simply made Curtis aware of the decision via text message, and was given a role in managing the loaned out players. It’s good to see that the club have finally realised that Alan Curtis is wasted in that role and should be back amongst the first-team coaching setup.
Today's news that Alan Curtis returns to the coaching staff reminds me of the article we published back in May. Let's hope similar sensible decisions are made regarding transfers in. https://t.co/FcDubMpCVk
— Vital Swansea (@VitalSwansea) June 27, 2018
He should have never of been removed in the first place, mental they removed one of the few people the players respected.
— Jos McGookin (@JosMcGookin) June 27, 2018
Potter has also added Björn Hamberg to his coaching staff this week, and the Swansea boss shared his reaction of the news that Curtis will join his team:
“I have known Alan through mutual friends for a number of years, so I know how respected and important he is at this football club,”
“Nobody knows the football club better than him.
“He brings an experience and quality that will prove really valuable to us.
“He will support the environment here. He is someone for all of us to draw on his experience, mentorship and support.
“Alan is an important person to have around and I’m excited to be working with him.”
Curtis said he was delighted to be back, and explained his role as well as provided an insight into what Potter is looking to do at the club:
“I’m delighted to be back on the coaching staff, It’s a big compliment to be asked by Graham.
“My job is to provide the link between the staff and the players and also amongst the staff.
“I think it’s important that we get the environment right off the field so that when we go onto the field, we’re all pulling in the same direction.
“He’s the new manager and wants to make his mark on things.
“With the experience I’ve had in the past and my knowledge of the club, he feels I can be an asset to him.
“He’s got his ideas of where he wants the club to go, how he wants to get there and how we wants the team to play.
“I think he just wants to get back to an ethos at the club that has been missing over the last couple of seasons.
“I’ve been at the club for such a long time. If it enables Graham to get to know the players more, understand the environment of the place, know the club, supporters and general atmosphere then, hopefully, we can have a successful season.”
