Cardiff City have been handed the toughest of Championship openers for the new 2023-24 season with a trip to Elland Road to face Leeds United. The new fixture list has sent the Bluebirds to Leeds on Sunday August 6, to face one of the clubs relegated from the Premier League last season.

Michael Duff has vowed to “evolve” Swansea City’s style of football after the club announced his appointment as head coach in succession to Russell Martin. Duff has been named Swansea’s new boss on a three-year contract, the Championship club have announced.

Russell Martin has been confirmed as Southampton’s new head coach. The former Scotland international joins on a three-year deal after leaving Swansea City. Martin verbally agreed to take over at St Mary’s last month, while the clubs remained in discussions over compensation.

Swansea City are on the verge of appointing Michael Duff, the former Northern Ireland international defender, as their new manager. The Swans have been in search of a replacement for Russell Martin for the past month, as he is poised to join Southampton. To secure Duff’s services, Swansea reportedly need to activate a £500,000 release clause in his current contract with Barnsley.

Brendan Rodgers declared his return to Celtic “a very simple decision” but he faced an instant reminder of the work needed to appease some fans who were unhappy with the manner of his exit. Celtic confirmed former Swansea City boss Rodgers had signed a three-year contract to replace Ange Postecoglou as manager, four years and four months after his sudden departure to Leicester after winning seven out of seven domestic trophies with the Hoops.

Just a few hundred yards from where an Armenian 19-year-old caused chaos for the senior team on Friday night, Wales’ own footballing teenagers had an opportunity to show their promise on Sunday afternoon.

Swansea City have expressed their sadness at the passing of the club’s former manager manager John Hollins MBE, MBE, at the age of 76. The former England international took over as Swans boss in 1998, an led the club to Third Division title success in 2000.

Dan James deserves a move back to the Premier League this summer, his Wales boss Rob Page has insisted. James spent last season on loan at Fulham, but went down with Leeds United’s sinking ship as he returned to the relegated club once the campaign was over.

Swansea City defender Kyle Naughton has agreed to a fresh one-year contract that will prolong his tenure with the club until the conclusion of June 2024. The 34-year-old’s existing agreement was set to conclude later this month, but he has reached an understanding that guarantees his presence in the Swansea squad for an additional year.

Russell Martin is expected to be offered the role of Southamton’s new manager next week. That will be a huge blow to Swansea City who hoped Martin would fulfil his final contracted year as head coach and build on the team’s excellent finish to their Championship season.

Former Swansea City striker Viktor Gyokeres is heading to Wembey and a dream Premier League ticket showdown for Coventry City against Luton Town. Gyokeres – who made just a dozen appearances for the Swans in the 2020-21 season – helped Coventry beat Middlesbrough 1-0 in their Championship play-off semi-final second leg at the Riverside Stadium on Wednesday.

Russell Martin wants assurances from the new regime at Swansea City before he agrees to a new contract. The Swans head coach ended his first campaign in charge that included a full pre-season by guiding the club to a 10th place finish, but only three points off the play-offs.