Alan Sheehan: Swansea City to part company with head coach

Sheehan was named as assistant to Michael Duff in the summer of 2023 and was placed in interim charge of the first team in December of the same year following the manager’s departure.

Under Sheehan’s guidance, the Swans took 11 of the 21 points on offer before Luke Williams was appointed as Duff’s permanent replacement in January 2024.

But little more than a year on, Sheehan was back in temporary charge after Williams was sacked.

The former Republic of Ireland international led his side to an even better run second time around as Swansea claimed 24 points from his 13 games as boss to guide the club to an 11th place finish – a remarkable achievement given the Welsh side had flirted with relegation just months earlier.

After earning a three-year contract as boss, Sheehan was heavily backed in the summer transfer window as Swansea’s new ownership group – led by Brett Cravatt and Jason Cohen – showed their intent on getting the club in a position to challenge for a top-flight return.

Adam Idah, Marko Stamenic, Zeidane Inoussa and Ethan Galbraith were among those to command hefty transfer fees.

But they have been unable to convert the early season optimism at the club into results – with their attacking output under Sheehan in particular being criticised.

Swansea’s expected goals (xG) of 12.48 is the lowest of any team in the division while their total of 15 big chances created is comfortably the worst of any side in the second tier.

During Saturday’s defeat by the Tractor Boys, some fans booed at half-time and full-time – with some aiming chants of ‘we want Sheehan out’ at their 39-year-old head coach after the contest.

And he is now poised to leave south Wales having overseen a run of just one win in eight matches across all competitions.

Now in what is the final international break of the calendar year, fans will hope the impending managerial change can give the club time to turn around their fortunes and reignite their hopes of securing a top six finish.

Swansea return to league action against Bristol City at Ashton Gate on Saturday, 22 November (12:30 GMT).