Here's your round-up of all the latest Swansea City headlines for Friday, June 23.
Duff turned down bumper Barnsley offer
Michael Duff has revealed he turned down a bumper deal from Barnsley to become Swansea City's new manager.
The 45-year-old was confirmed as Russell Martin's successor on Thursday evening, with his appointment signalling the end of a saga that had dragged on for the best part of four weeks.
READ MORE: The many tasks facing new Swansea City boss Michael Duff as scale of the job stark
Duff has signed a three-year deal at the Swansea.com Stadium, and insists his decision to make the move to south Wales wasn't motivated by money.
In a statement, he said: "I loved every minute of my time at Oakwell, and I take immense pride in the journey we all went on, starting with the loss at Plymouth and all the way to Wembley – the proudest moment of my managerial career so far.
“During the latter points of the season I learned of interest from other clubs, but my focus did not waver from Barnsley. Unfortunately, we just fell short of that goal, but I will remember that day for a very long time.
“This decision was not money-orientated. The board at Barnsley did everything in their power to make me commit to the club on an extended contract, but I am an ambitious character and after taking stock in the summer felt that this opportunity was the next natural step in my career.
“I reflect on my time with Barnsley positively and would like to think I left it in a better place than when I found it. Once again, I would like to thank the fans for their incredible support, which I’m sure will continue as the club looks to progress and kick on. Thank you. You Reds.”
Players return
Michael Duff's work at Swansea City has started straight away, with the new boss overseeing the first day of pre-season at Fairwood on Friday.
A number of first-team players have started their preparations for the new campaign.
Jamie Paterson and Joel Piroe, the latter of whom is facing an uncertain future, were snapped sharing a joke together. Matt Grimes, another player who's been tipped in some corners for a move away, was pictured on the grass, while Joe Allen was all smiles as he arrived and was also snapped in conversation with the new boss.
Jay Fulton was also present, sporting a striking new bleached hair-do in the process. The players are poised to jet off to Spain later this weekend, where they will be put through their paces by the new boss ahead of a busy summer schedule.
OTJ calls on Page to bring Allen back
Owain Tudur Jones says Wales boss Rob Page must try to convince Joe Allen to reverse his decision to call time on his international retirement.
Allen called time on his Wales career in February, and his absence in midfield has been cited as a possible reason for the recent struggles of Page's side, whose Euro 2024 hopes have taken a hit following back-to-back defeats in the most recent international break.
Jones, who played with the 33-year-old for Wales and Swansea, believes Page should try and change the midfielder's mind.
"We won't get to Euro 2024 without Joe coming back," he told BBC Radio Cymru's Coridor Ansicrwydd podcast.
"There's one thing I'm still upset about with Page. If there's one thing I'd criticise him for, more than anything since he's been manager, is that I don't think he fought enough [to change Allen's mind].
"Listen, he wasn't fit last season so someone could argue 'he wasn't fit, fair enough'. But if he is fit, he has to play.
"If you can persuade him to come back in September [when Wales next play], or if you wait for the play-offs we might hopefully get via the Nations League [next March], fine.
"But we won't get to the next Euros without Joe coming back into midfield."
