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‘A very good chance’ – Major Alan Sheehan development emerges as Swansea City consider managerial ‘options’

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Alan Sheehan remains in charge of Swansea City for the time being ahead of their trip to Watford on Wednesday evening, and EFL Analysis has exclusive information about his future at the club.

The 38-year-old has been in caretaker charge of the Swans since Luke Williams’ departure from the club was announced on 17 February. Williams had won just one of his last nine Championship games prior to his sacking.

Position Team Played MP Won W Drawn D Lost L For GF Against GA Diff GD Points Pts
11 WatfordWatford36 14 7 15 46 50 -4 49
12 MillwallMillwall36 12 12 12 36 37 -1 48
13 Sheffield WednesdaySheffield Wednesday36 13 9 14 50 56 -6 48
14 QPRQPR36 11 11 14 41 46 -5 44
15 SwanseaSwansea36 12 8 16 38 46 -8 44
16 PrestonPreston36 9 16 11 36 42 -6 43
17 PortsmouthPortsmouth36 11 9 16 44 57 -13 42
18 Oxford UnitedOxford United36 9 12 15 37 53 -16 39
19 Hull CityHull City36 9 10 17 36 45 -9 37

However, a 3-0 home win over play-off-chasing Blackburn Rovers in Sheehan’s first game leading the side brought a much-needed lift to the Swansea.com Stadium and he hasn’t looked back since so far, taking seven points from his caretaker stint ahead of Wednesday night.

Swansea sit 12 points above the relegation zone in 15th ahead of this midweek round of fixtures, with the Jacks’ next game coming on Wednesday against the Hornets, which Sheehan will oversee in the dugout again.

Now, in an EFL Analysis exclusive, we can reveal what the club is thinking about Sheehan’s tenure going forward.

Alan Sheehan, Interim Manager of Swansea City, looks on prior to the Sky Bet Championship match between Preston North End FC and Swansea City AFC
Photo by Lewis Storey/Getty Images

Alan Sheehan lined up for permanent Swansea City role

They have the luxury of taking their time over a permanent successor for Williams, given their strong league standing while also being too far away from the play-off mix, but an appointment could be imminent ahead of the international break.

You simply could not excuse the run of results Williams had put together since the turn of the year, especially when you look at that derby defeat to Cardiff City. That left them with no choice but to look elsewhere.

So far, there have been numerous reports since Williams’ sacking. Swansea are believed to be looking abroad to try and find their new head coach, according to Alan Nixon. He is reporting that the Swans’ American owners are keen to explore the European market to bring fresh ideas to the club.

Hibernian boss David Gray has also been mooted as an option, per a separate report from Nixon via Patreon. Meanwhile, EFL Analysis exclusively revealed that Des Buckingham and Javi Pereira were also named as potential candidates for the vacancy.

EFL Analysis expert Graeme Bailey has offered the latest exclusive information on the situation at Swansea regarding Sheehan. He said: “I am told that Sheehan has a very good chance of getting it.

“I know a few European names who have been put to them and they are assessing options.

“They were always looking at the international break. But, as I said, I think Sheehan might now get it.”

Alan Sheehan Interim Manager of Swansea City gives instructions to his players during the Sky Bet Championship match between Swansea City and Blackburn Rovers
Photo by Athena Pictures/Getty Images

Alan Sheehan stats so far for Swansea City

It’s fair to say that Sheehan has overseen a quick improvement at the Swansea.com Stadium, with the side unbeaten across his three league games in charge, having lost six of their previous seven games.

Sheehan has a vast amount of experience of being in many different dressing rooms during his long playing career, while his coaching and tactical acumen can only improve from here as well.

Goals4
Goals against0
xG for3.6
xG against2.7
Clean sheets3
Average possession45.33%
Alan Sheehan stats so far at Swansea – per FBref

He’s also previously hinted that he would be interested in taking the Swansea job full-time. Speaking after the Blackburn win via Wales Online, he said: “You see, building a case, you’d understand that I’d want it. You would think that.

“Let’s see what happens. There’s a lot of stuff happening at the football club, and if we concentrate on me, on any point, I don’t really like that. Let’s concentrate on giving our positive energy to the players and let all that other stuff take care of itself.”