By David Williams
Swansea City caretaker coach Alan Sheehan has told his players they need to lift themselves and their fans this weekend following the sacking of Michael Duff.
Sheehan, 37, has stepped up from an assistant’s role and into Duff’s shoes following the former boss’s dismissal at the start of the week.
The Swans have seen an approach to Tottenham to speak with Chris Davies rejected, but are still keen to talk to Spurs’ assistant coach.
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In the meantime, Swansea must try and arrest their current slide down to 18th place in the Championship by improving on a record of only one win in eight matches when they visit Rotherham on Saturday.
“We want to put out a good Swansea team that the fans can be proud of on Saturday,” said Sheehan.
“We’ve been working on how we can hurt the opposition. It’s about how we can get the best from the players we have in the building.
“In moments we have seen it, but hopefully we can bring that on Saturday.”
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The Irishman acknowledged it has been a tough period with Duff and Martin Paterson leaving the Swans, and that no-one is happy with the club’s current league position.
“I have been given the privilege to be in charge of this club and I understand the responsibility that comes with it,” he said.
“But it’s never going to be about me or anyone else, it’s about the club, it’s about Swansea City and what it means to represent this club.
“I know the people who work here and are around the place. I have had people wishing me good luck and you can’t describe that feeling.
“As I say, it’s a privilege to be in this position for now, and I hope in this short period we can produce a performance and a result on the weekend.”
Caretaker boss Alan Sheehan says Swansea City have "another gear" to move into as they start life after Michael Duff at Rotherham on Saturday ⚽#BBCFootball pic.twitter.com/gOS9dMJWFQ
— BBC Sport Wales (@BBCSportWales) December 7, 2023
Sheehan has been reluctant to declare himself a candidate for the permanent position of head coach and added: “Honestly, I am so focused on this weekend, I haven’t had time to think about that,” he said.
“I would prefer to talk about the players, the team, the staff and this club, because that’s more important than Alan Sheehan, let me tell you that.
“I think it is an incredible job for any manager. Until you live here you don’t feel it. It’s something different.
“Whilst I am here, I have a duty to the fans to try to get a really good performance on Saturday. That’s all I am focusing on.”
Planet Swans News: Sheehan ready for Rotherham United test as he takes the reigns – for now!: Alan Sheehan faced the media for the first time yesterday as interim manager of Swansea City after a week that saw him take… https://t.co/v0k8FCfcq9 #efl #rotswa #rufc #sheehan #Swans pic.twitter.com/s0qjfqYbxz
— JackArmy.net (@swansnews) December 8, 2023
Sheehan joined the Swans as assistant head coach in the summer. The former midfielder had a long playing career taking in over 400 league appearances, and revealed there was a time when he was close to moving to SA1 as a player.
“There was interest, around 2007 or 2008 when Roberto Martinez, Graeme Jones and Kevin Reeves were here. I ended up at Leeds, Swansea got promoted and Leeds lost the play-off final, so I obviously made the wrong decision!” he said.
“I have followed this club for a long time, since then. I liked the players who were here like Leon Britton and Ferrie Bodde. I am aware of the history of Swansea City, I always had admiration for the club but, being here now, I know it is a special place.
“One of the main reasons why I joined this club is I love how Swansea play football and how they have for many years.
“As a player I liked to have the ball. I believe that with the players we have, we are better with the ball, we need to have the ball.
“The bottom line is we are 18th in the table, we understand it’s a results-based business and we have work to do.
“But I do believe we have another gear to go up. It’s about us getting that gear, which I have seen in training, and doing it consistently on a Saturday.”
https://twitter.com/SwansOfficial/status/1732771264131944866?s=20
