By David Williams
Luke Williams could be in place as Swansea City’s new head coach in time for Saturday’s FA Cup tie against Morecambe.
The Notts County boss has agreed to the move and talks between the clubs over compensation are expected to conclude quickly.
That would allow Williams – who was an assistant to Russell Martin at the Swans until 18 months ago – to succeed Michael Duff who was sacked at the start of December.
The appointment will be further evidence that the club accept they got it horribly wrong in appointing Duff.
Luke Williams is set to be the new Swansea City head coach. Championship club in advanced talks with Notts County over compensation for Williams & his assistant Ryan Harley. Expect them to be in the dugout on Sat.
Story with @OliverKay via @TheAthleticFC:https://t.co/csCyjr7xnH
— Stuart James (@stujames75) January 3, 2024
Williams is very much in the Martin mould, and that of most of the club’s successful head coaches, who based their playing and recruitment strategy on patient, possession-based football.
The 43-year-old Englishman is expected to bring his Notts County assistant, Ryan Harley, with him to the Swansea.com Stadium.
Williams – who had a modest playing career in non-league football cut short by injury – was a central figure on the training field during his first spell at the Swans under Martin.
https://twitter.com/JordanWebber96/status/1742597114750796068?s=20
The former Swindon Town manager left the Swans to take charge of Notts County in June 2022 and led them to promotion from the National League last season.
They currently sit fifth in League Two and their goal tally of 55 is the highest among the top four divisions.
Having initially pursued Chris Davies, Swansea were forced to rethink their plans when Tottenham Hotspur’s assistant manager decided to stay with the Premier League club.
Andy Coleman, Swansea’s chairman, had said in the wake of Duff’s dismissal that his “appreciation for how critical the Swansea identity is to this club has grown since the summer and will be high in my mind as I make the decision on our new head coach”.
Luke Williams is set to be the new Swansea City head coach.
They’re in advanced talks with Notts County over compensation.
(Via: @TheAthleticFC)#Swans pic.twitter.com/svjwgOvl6s
— Second Tier podcast (@secondtierpod) January 3, 2024
Following their 1-0 New Year’s Day win over West Bromwich Albion, Swansea sit 16th in the Championship and are eight points adrift of the top six.
When Williams was asked about the chances of taking change at the Swans last moth, he said: “It’s natural (to be linked) because I worked there.
“Maybe somebody saw me in a coffee shop in Wales and put two and two together. But I actually live there and have lived there for nearly five years.
“It’s very flattering, but I need to concentrate on doing my job here (at Notts County).”
Swansea City set to appoint Notts County’s Luke Williams as their new head coach. Talks at an advanced stage.
Seen as an appointment in the Martin/ Cooper/Potter (Rodgers/Martinez) mould with strong emphasis on possession & player development @stujames75 https://t.co/wNqm8lWxZo— Oliver Kay (@OliverKay) January 3, 2024
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