By David Williams
Leaderless Swansea City can still get the man they need, according to caretaker boss Alan Sheehan.
The club’s failure to land their target Chris Davies as their new head coach was compounded at the weekend by a 2-1 home defeat to Middlesbrough.
Davies has chosen to reject Swansea’s advances in order to stay on as an assistant to Ange Postecoglou at Tottenham.
His decision was an unexpected slap in the face for those who run the lurching ship at the Swansea-com Stadium, but also a sobering reminder of their inexperience and gullibility when it comes to football appointments.
Generally, clubs tend to leak news of an impending appointment after they have been given the green light from their target, rather than before.
Swansea City have failed in their bid to appoint Tottenham Hotspur's Chris Davies as their new head coach. He was Swansea's top target to replace Michael Duff, who was sacked on 4 December.
Tottenham's senior assistant coach has decided to remain at the Premier League club,… pic.twitter.com/IjmkYI1svU— Chris Cowlin (@ChrisCowlin) December 17, 2023
But even though his bosses have been left with a considerable amount of egg on their faces, stand-in Sheehan – who cannot be counted out of the running for the permanent role – believes the right man can still be found to succeed Michael Duff, who was sacked at the start of the month.
“It’s a thorough process and I’m sure they’ll get the right guy,” said Sheehan.
“We know where we want to get to as a football club. You see where it’s been and you see where we want to get back to.”
If that sounds like wishful thinking more than hard conviction, then Irishman Sheehan sounded more certain when he came to assessing the Swans’ weaknesses that led to a first defeat in his three matches in charge.
Really good goal from Swansea. Grimes plays in Tymon, and the cross for Lowe is superb #Swans https://t.co/8L9d701qGa
— Tom Coleman (@tomEcoleman) December 16, 2023
“We wanted a performance, and the effort, and the intensity was there for large amounts of the game,” he said.
“The only thing to be critical of is that we had chances to put the game to bed, particularly in the first half.
“I thought our structure caused them problems at times, we wanted to win the game and we wanted to be brave.
“We wanted to press high and get after them, we attacked fast and with numbers in the first half.
“I know we have not come away with the result, but I am a lot more satisfied with the performance than I was at Stoke.
“The players gave everything I think we showed signs of progression towards the side we want to be.”
https://twitter.com/SwansOfficial/status/1674085249821691904?s=20
Middlesbrough ended a run of three consecutive Championship defeats with a victory achieved in strange fashion.
Substitute Samuel Silvera struck the 77th-minute winner, whipping home a close-range free-kick after Swansea goalkeeper Carl Rushworth had been penalised for picking up Harry Darling’s back pass.
Middlesbrough led at the interval through Sam Greenwood’s composed finish, but Jamal Lowe equalised to give Swansea hope of only a third home league win this term.
“It was a crazy decision, whether it’s right or wrong it’s a big call,” added Sheehan in discussing the winner.
“Is it an interception or a back pass? Carl Rushworth is one of the best keepers in the league with the ball at his feet, so for him to think he can pick it up tells me enough.”
https://twitter.com/BBCSportWales/status/1735989398054092943?s=20
Middlesbrough manager Michael Carrick said: “It’s a strange one. I’ve not seen it for a long time.
“It certainly doesn’t mean it’s a guaranteed goal because it’s not easy to find a way through.
“It was quite interesting to what the lads came up with because it’s not something you see often and therefore we haven’t planned for it. I’ll hold my hands up to that.
“But two of the younger boys (Silvera and Morgan Rogers) have been smart enough and said, ‘This is my moment, I know what I’m going to do’. That pleases me even more.”
FT!
Michael Carrick's Middlesbrough deny Swansea the win ⚽
Swansea 1-2 Middlesbrough.#BBCFootball pic.twitter.com/0sP1T9xTzv
— BBC Sport Wales (@BBCSportWales) December 16, 2023
