Swansea City have parted ways with head coach Alan Sheehan following their 4-1 defeat to Ipswich Town, a result that left the club sitting 18th in the Championship table.
Sheehan, who was handed the permanent job after an impressive stint as caretaker boss last season, had guided the Swans on their longest league winning run since 2007. His appointment brought optimism to the Liberty Stadium, particularly after a busy summer transfer window that saw the high-profile arrivals of Adam Idah and Zeidane Inoussa.
However, that optimism has faded quickly. Results have been disappointing, with the Swans now enduring their lowest return since being relegated from the Premier League in 2018. Saturday’s defeat proved to be the final straw, leaving the club just seven points clear of the relegation zone and eight adrift of the playoff positions.
Sheehan’s tenure saw him win 16 of his 39 games in charge, a win rate of just over 41%. The Irishman had previously served as interim manager on two occasions before being appointed permanently in April, following Luke Williams’ departure.
Attention now turns to who will take over at the Swansea.com Stadium. Former Middlesbrough boss Michael Carrick leads the early betting, priced at 4/1 with BetVictor. The ex-Manchester United midfielder has been out of work since leaving Boro after guiding them to a 10th-place finish last season.
Under Michael Carrick, Middlesbrough showed genuine promise. His side developed into one of the most exciting teams in the Championship, only narrowly missing out on a place in the 2022/23 play-off final after losing to Coventry in the semi-finals.
Carrick introduced a fresh, modern approach to the division, focusing on building from the back and transitioning smoothly through the thirds. His commitment to that philosophy was unwavering,and while it ultimately contributed to his departure, the experience is likely to have been a valuable learning curve for the former Manchester United midfielder.
Given the progress Middlesbrough made under his guidance, it would be harsh to judge Carrick solely on the difficult end to his tenure. His early success demonstrated his potential as a manager, and it would be no surprise if Swansea City were to explore the possibility of bringing him in as Sheehan’s successor.
Close behind in the odds are Brendan Rodgers and Gary O’Neil, both listed at 6/1. Rodgers, who was recently dismissed by Celtic, has been linked with several vacancies, while O’Neil remains a respected name after his stints with Bournemouth and Wolves.
Russell Martin, sacked by Rangers last month and Steven Gerrard are also being mentioned as possible successors, while Will Still, recently dismissed by Southampton, is another name in the frame.
With Swansea now searching for their fifth permanent manager in just over three years, the club’s hierarchy faces another crucial decision as they look to turn around a faltering season.
