Each day without a manager makes Swansea’s sacking of Garry Monk look worse
It’s been six days since Swansea “reluctantly” fired Garry Monk and they’re still without a boss
Smart organizations know that you don’t fire a key leader unless you have a plan to replace them. Swansea would have been wise to heed these words of advice when they elected to fire manager Garry Monk.
It’s been six days since Monk got the sack and Swansea don’t seem to have a clue who they will hire as their next manager. In the immediate aftermath of the firing the hot rumor was that Brendan Rodgers was being lined up to take the job. When that didn’t materialize the tabloids shifted their attention to Manchester United assistant Ryan Giggs. Now today, there are reports circulating that Swansea chairman Huw Jenkins has flown to South American to recruit Marcelo Biesla to take over at the club. This job search may end with a qualified candidate, but it’s clear that Swansea stepped into the aftermath of sacking Garry Monk with no real plan on what to do next.
That’s the aspect of this saga that should both Swansea fans the most. While personally I don’t think they should have pulled the plug on Monk giving his success last year and ties to the club, I can understand why Jenkins and their ownership felt it was the right move. Based on their struggling form this season, Monk certainly wasn’t doing a great job for the Swans.
More from Playing for 90
- Alexia Putellas reaches 400 games with Barcelona
- Everything you need to know ahead of the 250th ‘Super Clásico’
- Barcelona put five past Real Betis
- Manchester City suffer but come away with win over West Ham
- Baffling Liga MX ruling strips Puebla of a hard-earned victory
There is unquestionably value in stability though and Swansea elected to sacrifice that by sacking Monk. They knowingly plunged their team and their club into a period of uncertainty that can only be solved by hiring a new manager. They should have been prepared to move immediately for a replacement for Monk. Instead, they seem to be fumbling around in the dark looking for someone to save their season.
It’s not as if Swansea didn’t have time to think about the Monk firing either. They didn’t wake up one morning and fire Monk on a whim. They had all of this season to monitor the situation, weigh the pros and cons, and finally make the decision to wield the ax. Part of their decision-making process as to whether or not to fire Monk should have been who they could secure as his replacement.
Let’s not be naive and think that representatives from the club weren’t actively reaching out to potential candidates in advance of the Monk firing either. It may not be the most honorable aspect of the business of football, but it is the reality. They knew how potential candidates felt about their job before the Monk decision was even made.
The more time that goes on where Swansea doesn’t have a manager the worse it will be for the club. The best way to heal a club after a difficult managerial change is to act swiftly to bring in a new one. Instead, the circus at Swansea looks worse and worse as days go by after firing Garry Monk.