Premier experience makes Poyet target
SWANSEA CITY are refusing to be rushed into an appointment as they scour Europe for the man they think can lead them into a new era – but are ready to make Premier League experience their priority in their search for a new boss.
And it could propel Gus Poyet into a surprise frontrunner for the position with the Uruguayan said to be keen on the possibility of returning to British football despite distancing himself from links to the Liberty.
Yet, in a surprising twist, they could be prepared to listen to see if Wales’ Manchester United legend Ryan Giggs has any intention of branching out as a manager before making their call. Giggs has long been tipped to become the next Manchester United manager but Gary Neville’s recent move to Valencia and Carlo Ancelotti’s links to Old Trafford may tempt the 64-times capped international into considering a shock switch to Swansea.
The Swans had been ready to look to La Liga to find their successor to Garry Monk who was axed on Wednesday following a loss of faith in the former captain’s ability to arrest and alarming slump in form.
Yet it is thought some of the men identified as possible replacements would not be available until the end of the season which could force Swansea to think again.
And it is looking increasingly likely the club will place an emphasis on experience of the challenges of the Premier League as they seek a quick end to relegation worries.
Still they are in no mood to make a rash decision at such a critical time, knowing their next move is crucial having taken the decision to sack Monk at this stage. It is not expected they will make a move until after the weekend’s clash at Manchester City where long-serving coach Alan Curtis will lead the side after Monk’s assistant manager Pep Clotet and coaches Kris O’Leary and James Beattie also followed the manager out of the Liberty. Goalkeeping coach Tony Roberts, academy chief Dave Adams and performance psychologist Ian Mitchell – a qualified coach – will assist with the possibility of former Swans No.2 Colin Pascoe coming on board not being ruled out.
Jenkins is keeping his cards close to his chest on where the club goes now after an ambitious bid to lure Brendan Rodgers back to the Liberty saw the Northern Irishman consider a return only to eventually opt against it after several discussions.
But they have identified several targets and are currently examining the credentials of others who have made themselves known to be interested after Monk’s departure went public.
They are keen to appoint someone who can fit in with the club’s long held continental approach on and off the field as well as having the experience and strength to pull together a dressing room left shattered by the recent period of struggles.
Swansea were prepared to go back to Spain for their man but there are suggestions they would have had to wait to the summer and made a short-term appointment in the meantime. Rodgers could have filled that role but the frustration in being unable to persuade the exLiverpool boss suggests Swansea will have to look at alternatives.
Despite distancing himself from speculation, it is thought Poyet is a serious option with indications the former Sunderland and Brighton boss would be prepared to walk away from Greek outfit AEK Athens.
Poyet told reporters that links with the Swans vacancy were “nonsense” and added: “These stories come out when the team are in a decent form and the results are good. If AEK didn’t go well, my name wouldn’t be linked. I’m not in a hurry. I’m waiting to see how the things are going because you lose time when you consider what the future will bring. I have made no contact at all.”
However, Jenkins is known to like Poyet and will be encouraged both by an apparent eagerness to return to the Premier League after being sacked by Sunderland earlier this year, and the fact his AEK deal only runs until the end of the season meaning he would be inexpensive to buy out of his contract.
Roberto di Matteo could also be a contender having left his role at Shalke at the end of last season after frustrations with the Bundesliga side’s ambitions. The former Chelsea midfielder had relative success with West Brom while also leading the Stamford Bridge side to an unexpected Champions League triumph.
Dennis Bergkamp is considered to be a genuine option for the Swans board having long monitored his development as coach at Ajax, although the aforementioned lack of experience could count against him and considered a gamble at the wrong time.
And while he is the name most likely to engineer excitement in Swansea fans after the sadness attached to Monk’s departure after 11 years of service, there will be fears that he will not have the necessary personality to make the strong impact needed to get a hold of the current dressing room.
Indeed, if Giggs was to be indicate an interest in the Swansea job, Liberty decision-makers would seek assurances he could have the firm hand felt needed to make his mark – or have an assistant who could so so.
Avram Grant was claimed by some to be among those being looked at by the club, though the former Chelsea, West Ham and Porstmouth boss – currently in charge of Andre Ayew’s Ghana – has never been on Swansea’s list, the reports also dismissed by the Israeli’s agent.
Rangers’ Mark Warburton is another name to be considered by Swansea, although is not thought to be high up the shortlist. The former Brentford boss was said to be agitated by questions over the links to the Liberty having also been tipped for the recent Fulham job, and said: “Any manager only gets linked to jobs – and it’s always flattering – if you are winning games of football. But I’m just going to repeat what I said last week. I surely can’t go down this path again.”