By Paul Jones
New Swansea City chairman Andy Coleman has insisted he will “not let stand” speculation over the futures of chief executive Julian Winter and head of football operations Josh Marsh.
In a bizarre statement issued the same weekend he started in the role, Coleman has voiced his “disappointment” over the speculation, although he offers no assurance or suggestion that either man is to remain at the club.
It is signed, “Andy”.
It comes on the final day of a strange season for the Swans, during which they went 10 matches with just one victory in the Championship following a disastrous January transfer window in which they let six players leave and signed no-one to replace them.
📝 A statement from Swansea City chairman Andy Coleman. pic.twitter.com/62kObLa16r
— Swansea City AFC (@SwansOfficial) May 7, 2023
It was a recruitment strategy led by Winter and Marsh, under the command of the club’s joint owners, Steve Kaplan and Jason Levien.
Under the guidance of head coach Russell Martin – who is now being linked with a possible move to Leicester City – the Swans recovered and are eight matches unbeaten, although the surge came just too late to keep them in play-off contention.
They will host West Bromwich Albion on Monday, looking for a win that could see them finish inside the top eight while ending their opponents’ outside hopes of making the play-offs.
The statement from Coleman comes just two days after his appointment and an announcement that the American businessman had bought a “significant shareholding” in the club.
On the club’s official website and media channels, Coleman said: “Swansea City AFC believes that people matter. I believe that people matter.
“I am extremely disappointed by recent speculation in the media regarding Julian Winter and Josh Marsh. That is just not ok and it’s simply something I cannot let stand.
“We as a club will always support our community members when wronged.”
Going over to support the team tomorrow.
Genuinely worried about what’s ahead.
The club is crying out for a change of ownership.
Not musical chairs.
What a shambles. https://t.co/wNPMVLZ7pG— Stuart James (@stujames75) May 7, 2023
Quite what Coleman intends to do to “not let stand” the speculation in the media and on social media over the futures of Winter and Marsh is not specified.
On the final day of the season, West Brom are among five teams competing for the two remaining play-off spots.
Currently in eighth place, the Baggies faces a challenging task in bridging the two-point gap to the top six.
Although Swansea’s own play-off aspirations ended last weekend with a draw against Hull, they are on an eight-game unbeaten streak and have won their last two matches at home.
West Brom have struggled for consistency on the road, losing seven of their last ten away games.
Andy, Andy, Andy.
This is literally media 101, my dude. By putting out this bizarre statement, you've now intensified the speculation.
We're also not stupid. We know Winter and Marsh contributed to all the poor windows and we know they are on gardening leave.
Good start.
— James T. Kirk (@JustReliq) May 7, 2023
Martin said: “We want to win ideally, simple as that.
“We have got a big crowd in again, it’s another bank holiday game, so we want to finish strongly and put in a performance similar to the last eight or nine games, and finish the season unbeaten.
“We have a chance to finish in the top 10, and we have a chance to finish above West Brom, if we win and win well, we can do it.
“It’s not about ending their season or stopping anything they are trying to do. It’s about us continuing to perform at the levels we have shown over two extended periods of the season.
“To finish in the top 10 would be something to be proud of after everything we have been through as a group.
“To score more goals, get more points and finish higher than last season is something I am happy with.
“We have progressed, we have been adaptable but without losing identity or concept of the game.
“We want to finish with a win and be in the top 10, there will still be a lot of frustration that we did not manage to get amongst it, but we have been close, and I hope we give people a positive feeling about team and the club heading into the summer.”
If you are upset by that just wait till you hear what the club has done to the supporters trust!
— don't you dare have an opinion! (@IANSOUTHARD) May 7, 2023