Swansea reached the Premier League by doing things differently but they are now becoming just another struggler flitting between managers.
Modern football’s endemic short-termism may have done Swansea City – increasingly prone to the same ailment themselves – a serious favour as they hunted a new manager for the third December running. To have Carlos Carvalhal, well regarded at the Liberty, become available within a few days of sacking Paul Clement, required Sheffield Wednesday to conclude that dropping back into the Championship midtable outweighs his previous achievement of lifting them from that level and twice taking them closer to the Premier League than they have been since 2000.
Hope springs eternal. A remarkable late comeback at Watford and Carvalhal’s known commitment to attacking football inspire optimism that he might just be the man to revive the club’s fortunes, although the unlucky, if more defensive, Clement was seen in the same light a year ago.
But the suspicion remains that the problems at the Liberty are beyond the capacity of any manager, not least because they are rooted within the wider Premier League environment. Life gets tougher rather than easier for the league’s over-achievers as seasons go by.
Denne historien er fra February 2018-utgaven av When Saturday Comes.
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Denne historien er fra February 2018-utgaven av When Saturday Comes.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Pirate Transmission
Broadcasters around the world are paying huge sums to screen football, but they will not be willing to invest if they cannot be protected.
Scandi Drama
Years before it was screened live in the UK, England’s Football League was building a cult following abroad thanks to a visionary broadcaster.
Pot Of Gold
A rare meeting between two local rivals brought FA Cup fever – and a useful financial boost – to one corner of Hertfordshire
Digital Divide
From earnest post-match punditry to being used in actual players’ matchday preparations, the virtual game is becoming increasingly blurred with reality.
Haringey Ladder
The decision to walk off in the face of abuse has shone a national spotlight on a community club with a progressive approach
Bournemouth 0 Norwich City 0
Dean Court may have received a Premier League facelift but against today’s visitors the home team fail to live up to their status, although the low-quality draw they play out is still somehow reassuring.
Room With A View
Hampden Park
Not In The Script
ARSENAL FILM
Out Of Place...
After another unsuccessful qualifying attempt Martin O’Neill is under pressure, while a poor Republic of Ireland squad is only getting weaker
Uncomfortable Truth
At the end of April Sheffield United surprised many people by re-signing Ched Evans, who, following a retrial, has now been found not guilty of the rape charge for which he spent two-and-a-half years in prison.
