Swansea City could turn to former Bristol City coach after missing out on top target | Bristol Live

Swansea City are into the third week of their search for a new manager

Bristol City’s Championship rivals Swansea City could turn to former Robins Under-23 coach Luke Williams after missing out on their No1 managerial target, Tottenham Hotspur coach Chris Davies.

Wales Online report that the Swans board have sounded out Notts County manager Williams, who worked for six months in south Wales as Russell Martin’s assistant before leaving in February 2022. Williams led the Magpies to promotion into League Two where they lie sixth, four points off the automatic promotion spots, and continues to attract attention from higher up in the EFL due to his coaching methods and playing style.

The 42-year-old, who was City U23 coach from 2017 until 2019, is one of a number of candidates being assessed after the disappointment of failing to hire Davies who has elected to stay in north London.

Swansea sacked Michael Duff on December 5 and have been under the guidance of Alan Sheehan since, winning one, drawing one and then losing to Middlesbrough at home on Saturday.

Meanwhile, City’s opponents on Saturday, Sunderland have appointed Michael Beale as their new permanent manager on a two-and-a-half year deal. The 43-year-old takes over at the Stadium of Light as Tony Mowbray’s long-term successor following his dismissal earlier this month.

Beale was most recently in charge of Rangers, where he was sacked in October after a disappointing start to the campaign, having previously also worked in the Championship at QPR.

Beale retains the services of caretaker manager Mike Dodds as part of his coaching staff with the 37-year-old, who took charge of the 1-0 defeat at Ashton Gate, named as assistant.

"We have monitored Michael's career for some time and we are delighted to have reached an agreement for him to become our new head coach," Sunderland sporting director Kristjaan Speakman said.

"He has an excellent and well-founded reputation for developing players and he is an outstanding progressive coach, who is aligned with our playing identity and naturally fits within our structure alongside Mike Dodds and the wider team."

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