World Cup winner Cooper tipped for Swans job

After a 7 year stay in the Premier League, which even included a Europa League campaign, Swansea were relegated back to the Championship in the 2017/18 season.

Carlos Carvalhal left, and Graham Potter subsequently took the reigns for the 2018/19 Championship season as he looked to fire the Swans straight back to the Premier League. This wasn’t the case as Swansea finished in 10th place- never really challenging for the play-offs. The end of 2018/19 season saw Potter depart after less than a year in charge for the vacant Brighton job after Chris Hughton was sacked, despite keeping the seagulls in the Premier League for a second season running.

Now, Steve Cooper is the surprise favourite to take the Swans job for the upcoming 2019/20 season. Cooper was the manager of the World Cup winning England U17 side in India in 2017 where he was credited with getting the best out off players such as Callum Hudson-Odoi, Phil Foden and Jadon Sancho who have recently played for the England senior team.

Cooper wants a chance at club management and, having been born in Pontypridd, the Swans job seems like it could prove to be the ideal fit for both parties.

Cooper came from nowhere to become favourite for the job after it seemed like Wales assistant manager Mark Bowen looked likely to take the hotseat owing to the fact that he’s a local lad from Neath, and a Swans fan from young, after watching them in the old Vetch field.

Swansea seemed the ideal job for Bowen and the fans would surely welcome him coming back to manage his boyhood club. He was the bookmaker’s favourite but is now out of the running along with former Sunderland manager Gus Poyet.

Coopers lack of experience and the fact he’s never managed a senior team are reasons why people are surprised he is favourite. However, the fact Cooper has got the best out of young players is said to work in his favour and it is hoped that if he does take the job that he can develop young players, which used to be a key part of what Swansea stand for.

Cooper was also the manager of Liverpool’s academy from 2008 to 2011, managing the likes of now treble- winning Raheem Sterling and Champions League winner Trent Alexander-Arnold. Coopers history with young players is impressive and he now fancy’s his first senior management job. Coopers England youngsters played fast, quick-flowing football in India, the style of football Swansea want to play.

Other candidates for the job include QPR caretaker manager John Eustace, Michael Appleton (who managed Oxford United when they shocked the Swans in the FA Cup 3rd round in 2016 beating them 3-2) is also a candidate. Cameron Toshack, a name infamous in welsh football is also in the running but Steve Cooper is the front runner with the bookmakers; being 1/5 on Paddy Power to take the vacant Swan’s job.

Ki Sung-yueng Joins Newcastle Following Swansea Departure

Following his departure from Swansea after failing to sign a new contract, South Korean midfielder Ki Sung-yeung has joined Newcastle on two-year deal.

Joining back up with former teammate Jonjo Shelvey, the 29-year-old leaves after six seasons with the club and retains his own Premier League status after failing to help the Swans to do so.

He chose to move on from the club some time ago and will help provide Rafa Benitez’s Newcastle team with plenty more energy in the engine room.

He joins a growing list of Swansea players leaving the club, with Angel Rangel, Lukasz Fabianksi and Roque Mesa all having already departed, while club legend Leon Britton has moved upstairs to be a club ambassador.

It’s now going to take some work from Graham Potter to get the club ready for the new season, with the former Ostersunds manager already in discussions with a number of players as replacements.

We’ll of course bring you any signings as we get them...

Swansea Scouting Revamp As Potter Rings Changes

Swansea have confirmed that all their current scouting team have been relieved of their duties, with Graham Potter solely in charge of the club’s transfer strategy.

Potter is determined to put his own stamp on the club and has replaced Head of Recruitment Dave Leadbeater with Kyle Macauley, his former assistant manager at Ostersunds.

Leadbeater will be joined by Technical Recruitment scout Ian Henderson, his assistant Ian Roscrow and Bryan Flynn and Gerhard Tremmel who have all been shown the door.

The former two have been at the club since 2010 and 2012 respectively and had been a part of the furniture at the Liberty Stadium.

That has been torn up, with a statement from the club reading, “Graham will decide which areas of the team or squad need strengthening.

“Kyle will identify the key targets, research and study all the available information including scouting reports and data before providing a list to be pursued.”

It’s thought that list is already well underway with Potter having already identified a list of targets. He’ll first assess his players however before beginning business, but it’s certainly looking like it will be a busy pre-season ahead of life in the Championship.

World Cup Competition: Your chance to win a World Cup shirt or your choice

Bet and Skill are giving football fans the chance to win a World Cup kit of their choice to celebrate the 2018 World Cup.

The world has gone crazy for replica shirts this summer, with the Nigeria shirt selling out in minutes. Bet and Skill are giving the chance for fans to win one of 64 shirts on display this summer by answering one simple question.

It’s part of a much wider campaign for the brand, who have been offering World Cup tips and odds in the many months building up to the competition.

That will continue throughout the tournament, where they will also be unearthing the best World Cup betting promotions across the UK’s biggest bookmakers.

David at Bet & Skill said, “We’ve been building up to the World Cup for months and we’re excited run this competition and see fans really get behind their team.”

The competition closes on 14/07/2018 nd the winner will be contacted within seven days.

To win, fans need to head to the Bet & Skill website and answer the following question:

In which colour kit did England lift the World Cup trophy in 1966?


A. White

B. Blue

C. Red

You can view full details and enter the competition at: http://www.betandskill.com/join-the-strip-club-world-cup-competition/

Bet & Skill are one of the best betting affiliate sites in the country, offering the biggest odds and promotions from the nation’s favourite bookmakers.

Posting reviews on all major events across the football season, Bet & Skill are a one stop shop for all your sports betting needs.

West Ham Sign Fabianski In £7million Deal

West Ham have signed Swansea Player of the Year Lukasz Fabianski in a £7million deal.

The Polish international was seeking a move after the club’s relegation to the Championship and makes the move over to the London Stadium on a three-year deal.

The Swans had originally turned down a bid for the stopper, alongside another bid for Alfie Mawson, but it’s thought a higher bid managed to make the club succumb as they prepare for life in the second tier of English football.

Fabianski, who is currently at the World Cup with Poland, joined the Swans back in 2014 from Arsenal and went on to become a star player for the club, making 150 appearances across four seasons.

He was an ever-present and it’s no real surprise to see the 33-year-old leave following a fantastic season between the sticks at the Liberty.

Graham Potter will now have to search for a new number one, with only the Swede Kristoffer Nordfeldt and Erwin Mulder in the first team squad.

Graham Potter Named New Swansea Boss

Graham Potter has been unveiled as the new Swansea manager, signing a three-year deal with the club.

The Englishman joins from Swedish side Ostersund, with both clubs coming to an arrangement in regards to compensation.

Potter will lead the Swans rebuild as they look to return to the Premier League at the first time of asking. He’ll be joined by Billy Reid as his assistant and Kyle Macaulay, who will also follow from Potter’s former club.

The 43-year-old has worked his way through the leagues with Ostersund, culminating in a Europa League battle with Arsenal last season, where they won the second leg at the Emirates.

Potter said upon being unveiled as manager, "It's a chance to start again.

"We know how frustrating the last few years have been, but hopefully the relegation will be seen in a few years' time as the best thing that ever happened to the club.

"We will try our best and work hard every day to give the supporters a team they can feel proud of; they can connect with and see are trying to improve."

Ostersund chairman has been singing Potter’s praises in recent weeks after conceding bigger things are on the horizon for the former West Brom player.

Daniel Kindberg, who operates as the club’s chairman said, “He will not only take Swansea back to the Premier League, he will make the name of Swansea City bigger than it is today.

"The limit is down to the support he can get and if he gets enough he will do miracles."

Life in the Championship: Where Will We Finish Next Season?

Life in the Championship is never easy but the Swans have earned promotion from it before and are heavily backed with the bookies to do it again.

Most bookmakers are predicting the club will bounce straight back to the top flight and are the current favourites to end up in top spot.

You can back the club to win the title at 15/2, while the club’s promotion odds lie at 3/1.

That’s level with the Premier League’s two other casualties Stoke and West Brom, while Aston Villa are also hotly tipped following their Play Off Final defeat.

If the Swans are going to bounce straight back they’re going to get organised, and that starts with a new manager.

The club will be expected to lose a number of players over the summer, so finding replacements will be key.

Middlesbrough and Frank Lampard’s Derby are also favoured to mount a challenge according to the bookies, the latter a 16/1 shot to take top spot.

At the other end of the table, Ipswich are the favourites for relegation, following a tough season. The side have just appointed Paul Hurst as their new boss for the 2018/19 campaign, after he failed to achieve promotion with Shrewsbury last season.

QPR and Millwall are also among the favourites for the drop, alongside Reading, Nottingham Forest and Preston North End.

It’s going to be a tough season for the Swans. If they can keep the nucleus of the squad, promotion is surely the only position acceptable. That’s a lot of pressure on the new man. Can we do it?