Speculation is growing today that Swansea City will end their manager search with the appointment of former Sheffield Wednesday boss Carlos Carvalhal.
The Swans were linked with the Portuguese manager two years ago following the sacking of Garry Monk, but they opted to appoint Italian Francesco Guidolin instead.
Former Sheffield Wednesday boss Carlos Carvalhal on verge of becoming Swansea`s new manager. #SwanseaCity #swfc
? Pete O’Rourke (@SportsPeteO) December 28, 2017
Sheffield Wednesday appointed the 52 year-old back in 2015 following three years of inactivity and guided the Championship club to a play-off final defeat at Wembley in his first season in charge. They then reached the play-off s again last season, where Huddersfield Town beat them on penalties.
Carvalhal now 1/5 favourite
? Vital Swansea City #BackToJack (@VitalSwansea) December 28, 2017
This season, however, Carvalhal hasn’t been able to continue that trend of finishing in the top 6, they are now down in 14th place and 11 points adrift of the final play-off place.
Carvalhal’s sacking at Sheffield Wednesday received a mixed reaction from their fans, with many thankful for his earlier success, but also many realising that a change was needed as the team had got ‘stale’ as he changed his approach to be reactive to the opposition, rather than focusing on their own style – a style of play of which he initially implemented that would be welcomed by Swansea City fans.
Out of the bookies top favourites, who is your preferred choice for new #Swans manager?
? Vital Swansea City #BackToJack (@VitalSwansea) December 28, 2017
Carvalhal is something of a character, and not somebody who would be prepared to be dictated by our chairman Huw Jenkins, so you wonder how that relationship will get on if Carvalhal is indeed going to be appointed.
What we do know though is that we clearly didn’t have a plan for when we sacked Paul Clement. There was no quick replacement lined up, which is what we assumed we had given that Clement’s sacking has been a case of when not if for weeks and weeks.
Many Swans fans may feel less than excited to say the least by the appointment, but you have to wonder if there was anyone else available? We’re not a club who’s going to show great ambition and pay to take a working manager away from their club, and whilst it looks like an appointment where we’ve accepted our relegation fate, it’s surely a solid enough appointment for trying to bounce back somewhat next season.
But I’m sure they’ll be happy to know that Carvalhal doesn’t lack passion and the sort of manager who won’t stand for players lacking the right attitude as as well as effort and commitment on the pitch.
Doesn’t sound like a Huw Jenkins type of manager to me. https://t.co/Kow3AQ7C9T
? Vital Swansea City #BackToJack (@VitalSwansea) December 28, 2017
