[themaclad]

Swansea City have named Barnsley's Michael Duff as their new head coach.

The Championship club had lined up the former Northern Ireland and Burnley defender as a successor to Russell Martin, who has joined Southampton.

Duff, who won the League Two title with Cheltenham in 2021, led Barnsley to the League One play-off final last month.

The 45-year-old has signed a three-year contract with Swansea, who have had to pay compensation to the Tykes for his services.

"Michael has a proven track record of galvanising a group of players into a collective unit, and he has consistently outperformed expectations at his previous clubs," said Swansea chairman Andy Coleman.

"Every conversation I had with him only reinforced the view that he is exactly the type of leader we need here at Swansea City.

"He is a proven winner, both as a player and as a manager, and I'm confident he will bring that mentality here.

"I believe in his ability and his belief in the Swansea way, while he also possesses the capability to adapt within games to drive results.

"This is a results-driven business. Our position in the table matters to all of us and we are focused on supporting Michael with everything he needs to succeed."

The club say an update regarding Duff's coaching staff will follow in due course.

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Duff had two years to run on the deal he signed at Barnsley after moving to Oakwell from Cheltenham in June 2022.

His Barnsley side finished fourth in the third tier in his one season at the helm, but were beaten by Sheffield Wednesday at Wembley after overcoming Bolton in the play-off semi-finals.

A year earlier Duff had led Cheltenham to 15th in League One, the highest finishing position in the Robins' history.

"I've had seven promotions in my career as a player and manager so I know what an environment should look and smell like," Duff told Swansea's website.

"I want to play good football and I know that there is an expectation of that at this football club, but it's about evolving it, moving it and being a bit more on the front foot and a bit more progressive at times.

"It's about getting the balance of all those things because ultimately it's a winning business. You've got to win."

Duff will be at Swansea's training ground on Friday when the squad left behind by Martin reunite for the start of pre-season training, and will get an immediate chance to get to know his new players when they head to Spain for a training camp on Sunday.

"I'm excited to get going and meet the players, because that's when it'll really kick in when you're on the grass and doing your job," he said.

"There were lots of reasons I wanted to come to Swansea; the step up in level, but also the infrastructure that's already at the football club, and speaking to the owners and the ambition they've got for the club it matches my own ambition.

"Hopefully the supporters are as excited as I am. Hopefully we're going to see some really good football which is a little bit more on the front foot."

Swansea had also identified Chris Davies, Brendan Rodgers' long-time assistant boss, as a contender to take over from Martin.

At one stage Davies, who worked with Rodgers at Swansea, had seemed set for a return to south Wales, but he is instead set to join Ange Postecoglou's coaching staff at Tottenham Hotspur.

Plymouth Argyle boss Steven Schumacher was another of the names Swansea considered during their search for Martin's replacement, while the likes of Shaun Maloney and John Eustace were also linked.

Martin was finally appointed Southampton manager on Wednesday having agreed to take charge at the Saints in May, only for a dispute over compensation - which is still to be settled - to hold up his move to the south coast.

The former Scotland defender spent two years at Swansea, finishing 15th in the Championship in 2021-22 and 10th last season.

[themaclad]

Swansea City have named Martin Paterson and Alan Sheehan as assistant head coaches to new boss Michael Duff.

Ex-Northern Ireland striker Paterson, 36, was Duff's number two at Barnsley.

Former Luton Town defender Sheehan, 36, was on Nathan Jones' Kenilworth Road coaching staff and at Southampton.

Swansea will make further additions to their backroom team - including a goalkeeping coach - following the departure of Russell Martin and a number of his staff.

Former Swansea player Kristian O'Leary will stay on as a first-team coach having been part of Martin's set-up.

Paterson has coached in the Unite States, most notably at Inter Miami - the club part-owned by David Beckham - under then-boss Phil Neville.

He returned to English football to join Duff at Barnsley in July 2022, and now follows his former Northern Ireland and Burnley team-mate to south Wales.

Paterson began his playing career with home-city club Stoke, before spells with the likes of Scunthorpe United, Huddersfield Town, Blackpool and Port Vale.

He spent five years at Burnley, winning promotion from the Championship in 2009 and playing in the Premier League.

Sheehan, who is well known to new Swansea sporting director Paul Watson, began his coaching career under Jones at Luton in January 2022, shortly after retiring as a player.

He then followed Jones to Southampton only to leave when the Welshman's brief reign ended in February 2023.

A former Republic of Ireland Under-212 international, Athlone-born Sheehan represented 12 clubs in a 16-year playing career which featured spells with the likes of Leicester City, Leeds United, Swindon Town, Notts County and Bradford City.

He helped Luton win promotion from League Two and League One during their rise from non-league football to the Premier League.

Sheehan and Paterson are both with Swansea on their pre-season trip to Spain, with Duff at the helm following his appointment as Martin's successor last week.

Martin has been joined at new club Southampton by four members of his Swansea backroom team - number two Matt Gill, goalkeeping coach Dean Thornton, sports scientist Rhys Owen and analyst Ben Parker.

[themaclad]

GONE

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 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 "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."

Swansea's lacklustre south Wales derby defeat to Cardiff in September was also a cross against Michael Duff's tenure as boss
Swansea's lacklustre south Wales derby defeat to Cardiff in September was also a cross against Michael Duff's tenure as boss
'From day one Duff appeared to be wrong for Swansea'
Rob Phillips, BBC Wales football correspondent

So Swansea City's hierarchy have acted to atone for their very own mistake.

Almost from day one, Duff appeared to be the wrong manager for the club.

The often mentioned 'Swansea Way' is not just a catchy phrase. There have been variations on the theme over the years since the days of Roberto Martinez and Brendan Rodgers.

But there is now something in the DNA at Swansea City where style matters, and Duff never appeared to be the correct fit.

His words before the south Wales derby, coupled with the abject performance against Cardiff City in the 2-0 away defeat in September, did him no favours. After the derby dominance in the Russell Martin era, that was always going to be a huge reverse to counter even for one so experienced as Duff.

A four-game winning run late in September and running into October appeared to suggest Duff could turn the tide.

But even through that time, he struggled to give the side any identity. It was as if he was trying to impose a more direct style on the team - with players who just did not suit that system.

He was also less than inspiring in the media - a facet not as important as results, but a key element these days.

Chairman Andy Coleman seems to have admitted the style factor was as much to blame as one win in the last eight league games.

You would have thought the Swans football management would have realised that in the summer.

Make no mistake, the Swans were heading for the crunch. Had Duff stayed, he would have rightly expected backing in the January transfer window.

But they have decided to act now and look for someone who, in the words of Coleman, can help "reconnect the leadership of Swansea City Football Club with its supporters".

No team is ever too good to go down. Swansea have some decent players who together should not be part of a side heading in the wrong direction near the foot of the table.

The Swans must act quickly, especially with games at Rotherham and Stoke in the next week. They would do well to seek the advice of those within the club or in the area who are familiar with the 'Swansea Way'.

Judging by the jeers received from the fans at the final whistle last Saturday and the tone of the supporters who spoke on my Radio Wales phone-in following the 1-1 home draw with Huddersfield, this decision will be generally welcomed by the Jack Army.

Club bosses have seen their error and - with this dismissal - have admitted they were wrong and will have paid for it given Duff's contract ran to 2026.

But in listening to the fans who were clearly at odds with Duff's style, acting this swiftly could prove invaluable and perhaps rescue the season.

It is difficult not to feel sympathy with Duff. At another club, his management ethos and method might work. But in so many ways, Swansea are different.

Now Swans fans will have their fingers crossed the hierarchy get the next appointment right.