Carlos Carvalhal's Contract Not Renewed by Swansea City After Relegation
May 18, 2018
SWANSEA, WALES - MAY 13: Swansea City manager Carlos Carvalhal during the Premier League match between Swansea City and Stoke City at Liberty Stadium on May 13, 2018 in Swansea, Wales. (Photo by James Williamson - AMA/Getty Images)
Swansea City have not renewed manager Carlos Carvalhal's contract at the club following their relegation from the Premier League, they have confirmed.
The Swans made the announcement on Friday:
We can confirm that the club will not be extending Carlos Carvalhal’s contract.
Everyone at the #Swans would like to thank Carlos for his efforts and wish him all the best for the future.
In an accompanying statement on Swansea's official website, chairman Huw Jenkins said:
"We'd like to put on record our thanks to Carlos for his enthusiasm, hard work and commitment since arriving at the club in December.
"Naturally, we are all disappointed with the club’s relegation from the Premier League, and following discussions with Carlos, we felt it was in the best interests of both parties that we move in a new direction.
"We will now be looking to appoint a new manager in readiness for the 2018-19 season.
"While there are already rumours linking us with several managers, it is vital that we identify the right person to take this team forward."
Carvalhaltold Swansea's official websiteit was a "big pleasure" to manage the team and thanked club officials, staff and players.
He also paid tribute to the supporters: "They were absolutely fantastic during my time here, and they follow the team up and down the country with huge passion. You should be very proud of your support."
As football writer Richard Jolly noted, the 52-year-old does not have a habit of staying at clubs long term:
The former Sheffield Wednesday boss arrived on December 28 with the club bottom of the Premier League table.
After winning five of his first nine Premier League matches, which included back-to-back victories over Liverpool and Arsenal, Carvalhal had taken the Swans out of the drop zone.
When Swansea met Manchester United at the end of March, United boss Jose Mourinho said Carvalhal would keep them in the top flight and that his compatriot would deserve to win the Manager of the Season award for such an achievement:
However, the Swans would pick up just two more points for the remainder of the campaign and none in their last five games, which included a 2-1 defeat to the already relegated Stoke City at home on the final day.
Swansea were also frequently guilty of adopting a timid approach away from home, with Carvalhal's only away win in the league coming at Watford in his first match in charge.
Their relegation has been coming for some time, though. After impressively establishing themselves as Premier League regulars after getting promoted in 2011, Swansea have spent the last few seasons fighting to stay up.
BBC Sport Wales took a look at what went wrong:
What's gone wrong at Swansea City?
The #Swans have now gone through seven bosses in three years after parting company with Carlos Carvalhal.
The Swans' objective now will be to bounce back to the Premier League as quickly as possible, which should be part of their consideration for a new manager.
Premier League Celebration Linked to 'Degrading' Viral Sex Videos Investigated
Feb 1, 2018
SWANSEA, WALES - JANUARY 30: Samuel Clucas of Swansea City celebrates scoring his sides third goal during the Premier League match between Swansea City and Arsenal at Liberty Stadium on January 30, 2018 in Swansea, Wales. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
The FA are reportedly investigating a celebration used by various Premier League players that references a website known for sharing pornographic videos on social media.
According to The Sun, Swansea City's Sam Clucas "mimicked the porn site's spying symbol" as he netted twice in his side's shock 3-1 defeat of Arsenal on Tuesday.
Southampton duo Charlie Austin and Jack Stephens also made the gesture when celebrating a goal back in December, while it has also been referenced by other sportsmen, namely boxer Kell Brook and snooker legend Jim White.
Per The Sun, the FA confirmed they "are looking into the matter," while a Premier League spokesman said, "We would not want offensive material referenced in our competition in any way."
Meanwhile, Swansea City issued a lengthy statement on the issue, per WalesOnline's Anthony Woolford:
"As a club we were unaware of any links to the internet group in question and disappointed to learn of the association as it does not reflect the values of Swansea City nor our strong commitment to equality. We wholeheartedly condemn the degradation of women and believe everyone's rights, dignity and individual worth is to be respected.
"Having spoken to Sam, he was not fully aware of the pornographic sections of this Internet group and at no time intended to cause offence which he apologises for. The club will speak to Sam again internally to establish the full facts, while also taking the opportunity to remind everyone of their responsibilities."
Clucas, 27, only joined Swansea from Hull City back in August, but he has become a key player for the Welsh outfit and was instrumental in their monumental win over Arsenal.
The win over the Gunners came just over a week on from Swansea's victory over Liverpool, results that have seen them move off the bottom of the Premier League table and within one point of safety.
Paul Clement Sacked by Swansea City After Losing 8 of 10 Premier League Matches
Dec 20, 2017
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 18: Paul Clement head coach / manager of Swansea City during the Premier League match between Everton and Swansea City at Goodison Park on December 18, 2017 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
Swansea City have parted ways with manager Paul Clement following a dismal run of eight defeats in their last 10 Premier League matches, winning one and drawing one.
The top-flight outfit confirmed Clement's sacking on Wednesday evening via its official Twitter account:
We can confirm that the club has tonight parted company with head coach Paul Clement.
Clement arrived at the Swansea helm in January 2017 and helped the Welsh club stave off relegation in the second half of the 2016-17 campaign but failed to build any momentum this season.
“To change the manager, especially at only the halfway point of the season, is the last thing we wanted to do as a club.
“We had three different manager last season and as a result we all wanted to give Paul as much time as possible to turn things around.
“But we felt we couldn’t leave it any longer and needed to make a change to give us the best chance of an uplift and a turnaround in fortunes with the club bottom of the Premier League."
The Guardian's Stuart James provided details on Swansea's manager hunt moving forward but directed at least some of the blame for the club's survival woes at the feet of those in charge:
Swansea hope to have a replacement in for Clement for the Palace game, someone with PL experience - Bilic? (that's a guess, to be clear). The club keeps changing manager. Just wondering when those in charge of recruitment get held to account for the shambles they've presided over
Jenkins went on to describe Clement's work in keeping the Swans up last season as a "tremendous feat," adding he and others at the Liberty Stadium were "surprised and disappointed it hasn't worked out this season."
BT Sport Score pulled up Swansea's run of form since late October, during which time they managed to keep only two clean sheets and netted just five goals, an average of one every other game:
Swansea have sacked Paul Clement as head coach.
Last 10 league results:
❌ L 2-1 v Leicester ❌ L 2-1 v Arsenal ❌ L 1-0 v Brighton ❌ L 2-0 v Burnley ⭕️ D 0-0 v Bournemouth ❌ L 1-0 v Chelsea ❌ L 2-1 v Stoke ✅ W 1-0 v West Brom ❌ L 4-0 v Man City ❌ L 3-1 v Everton pic.twitter.com/0rLflSxSUT
The Swansea post was Clement's second stint as a first-team manager, although he did beat the eight months in which he was in charge of Derby County, who sacked him in February 2016.
Sky Sports Statto broke down the tactician's record in south Wales:
Paul Clement is the 4th manager to leave Swansea since December 2015
Having served as assistant to Carlo Ancelotti at Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich, hopes were high that Clement would carve out a reputation for himself in a more senior role.
His first taste of the English top flight has come to an abrupt end, however, and Swansea are again looking for a new manager—their sixth in the space of two years.
Renato Sanches Officially Joins Swansea City on Loan Transfer from Bayern Munich
Aug 31, 2017
Bayern Munich's Renato Sanches (L) and Chelsea's N'Golo Kante (R) vie for the ball during the International Champions Cup football match between Chelsea and Bayern Munich in Singapore on July 25, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / ROSLAN RAHMAN (Photo credit should read ROSLAN RAHMAN/AFP/Getty Images)
Swansea City completed the signing of Renato Sanches from Bayern Munich on Thursday,with the midfielder penning a one-year loan deal at the Liberty Stadium.
The team's Twitter account confirmed the move, with the Portugal international departing the Allianz Arena on a temporary basis just a year after signing for Die Roten:
Sanches, 20, moved to Bayern from Benfica for £27.5 million in the summer of 2016. He went on to star for Portugal as they won UEFA Euro 2016 and was named Young Player of the Tournament.
However, his debut season for Bayern was a disappointment as he made just 17 Bundesliga appearances, with 11 of them coming from the bench, per WhoScored.com.
And Sanches revealed earlier this summer he wanted to leave Bayern, per SportBild (via Sport Witness):
Renato Sanches has told SportBild he wants a change of clubs, and added "AC Milan is an interesting option."
Given his youth, Sanches still has a great deal of room for improvement, and he has shown with the Portugal national team and when he was at Benfica that he boasts a huge amount of talent.
Swansea have signed a player who is comfortable on the ball and boasts a terrific passing range. However, he needs game time and club backing to get his confidence back.
Nevertheless, few would have anticipated a player of such pedigree ending up at Swansea, who did just enough to stay afloat in the Premier League last season. Journalist Martin Laurence was surprised by the news:
I had a real hunch that Renato Sanches would partner up in midfield with Sam Clucas this season. Just shocked it's not at Bayern...
However, Swansea head coach Paul Clement has strong links with Bayern, having been assistant to manager Carlo Ancelotti. At the Liberty Stadium, Sanches will also be handed a regular spot in the starting XI, something that will be crucial to the youngster for refining the rough edges in his game.
It's a critical year in the young career of the Portuguese, and the whole of Europe will be keeping an eye on his development in south Wales. Swansea supporters will be itching to see one of the continent's brightest prospects in action.
Fernando Llorente Suffers Broken Arm in Cycling Accident
Jun 29, 2017
Swansea City's Fernando Llorente, right, vies for the ball with Crystal Palace's Martin Kelly during the English Premier League soccer match between Crystal Palace and Swansea City at Selhurst Park stadium, in London, Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2017. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)
Swansea City forward Fernando Llorente has suffered a broken arm during a cycling incident and is a doubt to be ready for the start of the Premier League season.
The club announced the news via their official website, adding they are hopeful the Spaniard will be fit to face Southampton on August 12 following a special pre-season program.
Per the report, the 32-year-old fractured a bone in his lower arm, and surgery is not required.
The former Juventus man moved to the Premier League last summer and enjoyed a fine first season in Wales, scoring 15 goals. His big frame, excellent aerial ability and surprising mobility make him an excellent fit for the English game, and he's already been linked with a transfer to Chelsea, perMiguel Delaneyof The Independent.
Compatriot Borja Baston, who will be hopeful of a bigger role next season, has a similar profile and would be a solid replacement should Llorente not be fit in time for Swansea's season opener.
Is Gylfi Sigurdsson the Best Midfielder in the Premier League?
Feb 13, 2017
BR Video
Gylfi Sigurdsson has been on top form since Paul Clement joined Swansea City as manager on Jan. 3.
In the video above, we look at whether Sigurdsson's output makes him the best in the Premier League.
Paul Clement Appointed Swansea Manager: Latest Details, Comments and Reaction
Jan 3, 2017
Bayern Munich's assistent coach Paul Clement in action at the club's training area in the southern German city of Munich on July 11, 2016. / AFP / GUENTER SCHIFFMANN (Photo credit should read GUENTER SCHIFFMANN/AFP/Getty Images)
Swansea City have made Paul Clement their new manager, and the 44-year-old will be tasked with saving the Premier League club from relegation.
The Swans announced the news via a release on the club website on Tuesday.
Clement will be charged with guiding the team to safety after they struggled under former managers Francesco Guidolin and Bob Bradley. Under the latter, the club dropped towards the bottom of the standings.
LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 06: Paul Clement (R) the Derby County Head Coach looks on before the Sky Bet Championship match between Fulham and Derby County at Craven Cottage on February 6, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Ker Robertson/Getty Images)
The appointment of Clement comes as a surprise, as he doesn't have much experience at the highest level. He has mostly worked as an assistant manager at some of the biggest clubs in the world, notably as Carlo Ancelotti's right-hand man.
He also coached Derby County, but he didn't last the 2015-16 season after a series of inconsistent results.
Clement has a huge task on his hands, as Swansea struggled under both Guidolin and Bradley. The squad appears to lack the quality to compete in the Premier League, and the players don't always seem to give their all, either.
Ian Darke of BT Sport watched their first outing following the sacking of Bradley and made this observation:
Surprise surprise. Swansea's problems were not all down to Bob Bradley. Losing 0-2 home to Bournemouth
By bringing in Clement so soon after Bradley's sacking, Swansea have given the new manager enough time to assess his squad and make the necessary additions in the January transfer window. They will be sorely needed, and the club's willingness to invest could ultimately decide whether or not the Swans survive the drop.
Should Swansea City Gamble on Manchester United Legend Ryan Giggs?
Dec 28, 2016
BR Video
Swansea City announced on Tuesday that they have sacked Bob Bradley after just 11 games in charge, leaving them in search of their third manager of the season already.
In the video above, Bleacher Report asks whether Ryan Giggs—the mooted favourite for the job, per ESPN FC's Mark Ogden—is worth gambling on.
Harry Redknapp Comments on Potentially Becoming Swansea City Manager
Dec 28, 2016
SWANSEA, WALES - DECEMBER 02: Manager of Queens Park Rangers Harry Redknapp arrives in the stadium ahead of the Barclays Premier League match at the Liberty Stadium on December 2, 2014 in Swansea, Wales. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)
Harry Redknapp has admitted he would be interested in taking the vacant manager's position at Swansea City and reportedly has some audacious potential transfer plans.
With the club in 19th place in the Premier League table, Swansea took the decision to sack Bob Bradley on Tuesday, per the club's official website.
Speaking on TalkSport's Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast on Wednesday, Redknapp made it clear he'd be ready to step in if asked and said the team can still pull away from relegation trouble:
It sounds interesting – it sounds a challenge!
Swansea are a good club and it would be a tough challenge, but a good challenge.
It's a great club – where they've come from and what they've done, and the atmosphere there is absolutely fantastic.
It's a tough job for someone but it's not an impossible one – I still think they've got a chance of staying up. It's going to be tight, but they've still got a chance.
While he noted his interest, Redknapp added there's been no approach from the south Wales side: "I've not heard anything; I've had no approach from anybody."
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 29: Jordan head coach Harry Redknapp watches on during the national anthems ahead of the 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualification match between the Australian Socceroos and Jordan at Allianz Stadium on March 29, 2016 in Sydney, Austral
Redknapp reportedly wants to make some big-name signings if he's appointed, including Chelsea skipper John Terry and former Blues icon Frank Lampard, who is a free agent after he recently left New York City FC, per Matt Law of the Daily Telegraph.
According to Sky Sports' Nadeem Badshah, the leading contenders to replace the American are Wales manager Chris Coleman and Gary Rowett, who was controversially let go by Birmingham City earlier this month despite a positive beginning to the season.
Nonetheless, according to Law, Redknapp could still yet "force his way into consideration" for the position.
Frank de Boer, sacked by Inter Milan earlier in the campaign, has turned down the chance to take on the job at the Liberty Stadium, according to Bleacher Report's Dean Jones:
Hearing Frank De Boer has turned down approach from Swansea
Bradley was appointed in October to replace Francesco Guidolin, and he was faced with the challenge of reviving a Swansea side that had been struggling for form.
However, under the American's guidance, the team's standards sagged even further, losing seven of his 11 games in charge and conceding plenty of goals. With Swansea four points short of 17th-place Crystal Palace, Bleacher Report's Sam Tighe felt the Welsh outfit had no choice other than to take drastic action:
The table from Oct 3 (Bradley appointment). 29 conceded. Consistently strange decisions made. Difficult to defend him. #Swanspic.twitter.com/rqim6GrxVd
Redknapp's last managerial position was with the Jordan national team, although the 69-year-old was only appointed on a two-game deal; he steered Jordan to an 8-0 win over Bangladesh before they suffered a 5-1 hammering at the hands of Australia.
The veteran coach last worked in the Premier League with Queens Park Rangers, resigning in February 2015, citing a knee problem as his reason for stepping down. The London club were 19th in the table when he walked away.
Redknapp also enjoyed spells with Tottenham Hotspur, taking the north Londoners into the UEFA Champions League, and Portsmouth, who won the FA Cup under his stewardship in 2008; he helped both teams recover from lowly positions in the Premier League after taking over.
