Alan Sheehan says he expects the process of appointing a full-time manager at Swansea City to be completed this week.
The caretaker boss insists the vacancy needs to be filled within days despite earning a 1-0 home win over West Bromwich Albion on New Year’s Day.
Sheehan saw his side notch a first win over a top six side in the Championship since February 2022 and keep a clean-sheet for the first time in 11 games, since 4 November.
“I’d say we are closer to a decision on the new manager, but at the moment I’m just trying to enjoy this victory,” said Sheehan, who has picked up an impressive 11 points from his seven games in temporary charge.
“I’ve had conversations this week, but like I keep saying, there is a process to go through and I understand there’s obviously a lot of people interested in the job.
“It needs to be concluded this week, I’d say.”
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A goalless first half in torrential rain at the Swansea.Com Stadium gave way to a far more dynamic and free-flowing second period.
Liam Cullen’s goal ended a purple patch for the home side, although Josh Tymon also hit the post.
“To get back-to-back home wins and to beat a top six side builds confidence,” added Sheehan.
“What we saw out there was a team fighting for the badge and working hard together in and out of possession.
“We have had a difficult period – Southampton and Coventry away and then West Brom at home. If we had taken all out chances at the start of the second half the game could have been done.
“There were goals that were just one pass or touch away and we also hit the post. We need to get better at beating the press, although it is a really positive day.”
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Defeat on New Year’s Day ruined the festive record of Carlos Corberan’s side, who came into the game on the back of two 1-0 home wins over Norwich and Leeds United.
“We are disappointed in the result, but it is no big disappointment other than that. I saw the team compete in the way we have to compete,” said West Brom boss Corberan.
“We were better than them in the second half of the first half, but then they found a way to compete with their set pieces in the first half of the second half.
“We were better in the second part of the second half, but couldn’t score. We had two good chances to score in the first half, of which Thomas-Asante’s was the biggest.”
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After a 5-0 drubbing at Southampton on Boxing Day, and a 2-2 draw at Coventry three days later, it was a return to winning ways for the Swans thanks to Cullen’s 55th minute strike.
Defeat for the visitors meant it was a poor start to the New Year for the Baggies after back-to-back home wins over Christmas against Norwich and Leeds United.
The home side, still managerless after the departure of Michael Duff last month, made a solid start but despite many passes and much probing couldn’t find a way through the Albion defensive lines.
Chances were few and far between in the first half with Connor Townsend’s rasping shot from the left edge of the box after a wonderful through ball from Cedric Kipre forced Carl Rushworth to stretch full length to tip the ball away for a corner in the 20th minute.
Swansea’s first chance fell to Cullen after a great cross from the left by Josh Tynon, but his header was saved, then Jay Fulton’s first time shot sailed wide.
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The visitors should replied soon after when Fulton gave the ball away and Brandon Thomas-Asante picked up the pieces and drove deep into the home half before crossing for Jayson Molumby to head over.
The impressive Tom Fellows then set-up Thomas-Asante for a clear run on goal with a brilliant turn and lay-off pass, but on his left foot he could only strike the ball straight at Rushworth, who saved low down.
Swansea must have had a stern half-time lecture from Sheehan because they were a side transformed after the break.
They moved the ball more quickly and were far more direct. That caught Albion on the hop and Jamie Paterson’s volley from a cross from Charlie Patino was blocked.
Just before the goal, a Paterson free kick from the right was headed goalwards by Harry Darling and it took a brilliant reflex sav from Alex Palmer to keep it out.
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But the Swans now had real momentum and a Tymon cross from the left into the path of Jamal Lowe allowed him to force another good save out of Palmer.
From the corner, the ball was headed clear, only to be pumped back into the box by home skipper Matt Grimes.
Darling rose high to head the ball down and Cullen was on hand to sweep the ball past Palmer to notch the first goal for the Swans in 2024.
Tymon then hit the right hand post with a chip shot before the visitors mounted pressure at the other end to try to rescue a point.
Heroic defence kept them at bay and earned Rushworth his first clean sheet since 4 November.
Defeat in south Wales. pic.twitter.com/P8UE14zn29
— West Bromwich Albion (@WBA) January 1, 2024
