Swansea City Football Club has fired head coach Alan Sheehan just days after a humiliating 2-1 home defeat to Ipswich Town at the Swansea.com Stadium, marking the club’s worst start to a season since their 2017-2018 Premier League relegation. The decision, confirmed on November 11, 2025, came after just four wins in 15 Championship matches — a paltry 26.7% win rate — and a fan revolt that saw supporters boo the team off the pitch following Saturday’s loss. Sheehan, 39, had been appointed full-time in April 2025 after two successful interim spells, but the momentum stalled. Now, the club’s owners, Brett Cravatt and Jason Cohen, are racing to find a new manager before the next fixture: a critical home game against Leicester City on November 16.
From Interim Hero to Casualty of Expectations
Sheehan’s rise was swift. He first stepped in during December 2023, guiding Swansea to seven wins in 16 games — a 42.86% win rate that steadied a sinking ship. Then, in early 2025, he returned for a second interim stint, delivering five straight victories and a 58.3% win rate across 13 games. Fans cheered. The board praised. But the permanent role didn’t stick. The 2025-2026 campaign began with promise — a 3-1 win over Millwall in August — but then collapsed. Four wins in 15 games. Three defeats in their last five. A goal difference of -7. And on November 9, after losing to Ipswich, the crowd turned. Not just disappointed. Angry. The atmosphere, one fan told the South Wales Echo, felt like "the Vetch Field in 2018 all over again."The Owners’ Calculus: Stability Over Sentiment
Cravatt and Cohen, who took control in 2021, didn’t act impulsively. Internal discussions on Sunday, November 10, revealed a consensus: the team’s structure, tactics, and morale had deteriorated. "Alan has been instrumental," their statement read. But the next line cut deeper: "Results and performances do not meet the standards expected at this stage of the season." It’s a phrase clubs use when they’ve run out of patience. Sheehan’s interim success had been built on a resilient defense and counterattacking efficiency — traits that vanished as opposition teams adapted. Swansea’s midfield, once fluid under his guidance, became predictable. Their xG (expected goals) per game had dropped from 1.42 in the first five matches to 0.89 in the last five. "You can’t win in the Championship with a 0.89 xG average," said former Swansea midfielder Lee Trundle on BBC Radio Wales. "That’s not a coaching issue — it’s a crisis."The Five-Man Shortlist: Who’s Next?
According to SportsBoom’s exclusive report, Swansea’s executive team has compiled a secret five-man shortlist. Names include former Stoke City boss Michael O’Neill, ex-Brentford assistant coach Neil Critchley, and 37-year-old Portuguese tactician Eder Sarabia, who recently left Al-Hilal after a stint as head coach. Sarabia, known for his high-pressing system and youth development, is reportedly the front-runner. BBC sources confirm he’s been in contact with Swansea’s sporting director. His philosophy aligns with the club’s long-term goal: rebuild around academy graduates like 19-year-old winger Koby Arthur, who’s shown flashes of brilliance but lacks consistent support. Other names on the list: Gary Rowett (Birmingham City), and a surprise candidate — 42-year-old Spanish coach Imanol Alguacil, currently managing Real Sociedad’s B team. He’s not on the radar of most pundits, but insiders say he impressed during a scouting visit to the Swansea academy last month.Championship Chaos: A Managerial Carousel
Swansea isn’t alone. Middlesbrough and Norwich City are also hunting for new managers as of mid-November. The Championship’s volatility is unprecedented — 10 managerial changes so far this season. Only three clubs have kept their boss since August. "It’s become a revolving door," said football analyst David Ornstein. "Clubs are desperate for instant results. But the best managers aren’t available. So they hire the most convenient one — and hope."
What’s Next? The Leicester Test
Swansea’s next match — against Leicester City on November 16 — is more than a game. It’s a litmus test. If the team performs well under interim caretaker (likely assistant coach Paul Williams), it could buy time. If they lose again, the pressure on the new hire will be unbearable. The club has promised to announce the successor before kickoff. That’s unusual. Most clubs wait until after the next match. But Swansea’s owners aren’t playing it safe. They want certainty. And they want fans back in the stands.Historical Context: Seven Years in the Wilderness
Founded in 1912, Swansea City spent 93 years at the Vetch Field before moving to the modern Swansea.com Stadium in 2005. Their Premier League stint from 2011 to 2018 was the golden era — FA Cup final, Europa League runs, and a top-10 finish in 2013. Since relegation, they’ve been stuck in the Championship’s middle-to-lower tier. No playoffs. No promotion. Just steady decline. The club’s financial model — reliant on player sales and modest gate receipts — makes big spending impossible. That’s why the next manager won’t be a big-name star. They’ll need to be a builder. A developer. Someone who can turn academy kids into Championship performers.Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Alan Sheehan sacked despite strong interim results?
Sheehan’s interim success came in smaller sample sizes — 7 and 13 games — against lower-tier opposition. As permanent manager, he faced a tougher Championship schedule, and his tactics became predictable. Swansea’s xG dropped sharply, and key players underperformed. The board concluded his methods had reached their limit, and the 26.7% win rate this season was unsustainable for a club with promotion ambitions.
Who is Eder Sarabia, and why is he linked to Swansea?
Eder Sarabia is a 37-year-old Portuguese tactician who led Al-Hilal’s first team in Saudi Arabia after a long stint at Real Madrid’s youth academy. He’s known for high-intensity pressing, positional play, and developing young talent — traits Swansea needs. His philosophy matches the club’s academy-focused strategy, and he’s reportedly been in talks with Swansea’s sporting director since early November.
How does Swansea’s current situation compare to other relegated clubs?
Unlike clubs like Norwich or West Brom, who spent heavily to return to the Premier League, Swansea has stayed financially conservative. Their last promotion push in 2020-21 ended in playoff heartbreak. Now, with seven consecutive seasons in the Championship, they’re among the longest-serving clubs without a return. The pressure isn’t just about wins — it’s about proving they can still compete at this level.
What impact does this have on Swansea’s young players?
Players like Koby Arthur, 19, and midfield prospect Ben Wilmot, 22, have been handed extended runs under Sheehan. The next manager will decide whether to continue trusting youth or bring in experienced signings. If Sarabia or another academy-friendly coach takes over, these players could be the foundation of a long-term rebuild. If not, they may be sold to fund a more immediate fix.
When will the new manager be announced?
Swansea City has pledged to announce the new head coach before their next match against Leicester City on November 16, 2025, at 3:00 PM GMT. That’s unusually fast — most clubs take 2-3 weeks. It signals urgency. The board wants stability before the Christmas fixture pile-up, when results become critical.
What’s the long-term goal for Swansea City now?
The long-term goal isn’t just promotion — it’s sustainability. The club’s owners want to build a model where academy graduates make up at least 40% of the first team, reducing reliance on expensive transfers. The next manager will be judged not just on wins, but on how well they integrate youth, develop leadership, and create a culture that lasts beyond one season.
