Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Wales Online
Wales Online
Sport
Tom Coleman

Where we now stand with Swansea City's manager search as ex-Celtic and Liverpool coach Chris Davies emerges as leading contender

Chris Davies is a leading contender to succeed Russell Martin as Swansea City's next boss.

It's understood Davies, who last worked as Brendan Rodgers' number two at Leicester City before their relegation from the Premier League, is under serious consideration by the Swansea board, as they look to line up a replacement for the outgoing Martin.

Other corners of the media have now claimed Davies is now the preferred candidate to take over. It's not yet clear whether those suggestions are accurate, but he is certainly a strong contender to take over at this stage.

READ MORE: Russell Martin to Southampton Live updates as Chris Davies emerges as frontrunner for Swansea City

Davies has been a trusted lieutenant to Rodgers for most of his career, with the pair sharing a strong working relationship that coincidentally started out when the Northern Irishman was Swans boss himself.

Spells at Liverpool and Celtic have since followed, before the most recent venture at the King Power Stadium, which ended with them leaving before the Foxes were eventually relegated to the Championship.

Davies has already expressed his willingness to become a manager in his own right, and his philosophies are understood to closely align to that of his former boss and mentor Rodgers, which could in turn leave him well placed to continue the high-octane, possession-based style of football implemented by Martin.

Then again, there may well be other offers on the table. Indeed reports elsewhere have suggested new Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou may be keen to bring Davies on board as part of his new-look coaching set-up.

However, while Davies hasn't categorically ruled out such a move in the past, he has previously indicated that the chance to be a manager in his own right is the next step in his career.

"I’ve always been open about my desire to be a manager," said in a recent interview. "The next step will naturally be into a role as a head coach or manager, but of course it has to be the right fit for me.

"I want an organised club that can be aligned with my vision. I feel I’ve proven myself as an assistant at the top level, and now I’m ready to make that next step into an exciting future. Alternatively, I may continue as an assistant for a while longer, depending on what opportunities arise."

Davies would seem a good fit in many respects, but he's just one of several names currently in the mix.

Plymouth boss Steven Schumacher has been strongly linked recently, while reports in London have pointed to a 'growing interest' in former Tottenham interim boss Ryan Mason. Meanwhile, there is understood to still be some admiration for Birmingham City boss John Eustace, who twice came close to being appointed in SA1 in the past. Indeed, his decision to turn down the post due to personal reasons two years ago paved the way for Martin's arrival.

But despite awaiting concrete assurances on his own future, a move this time around seems unlikely, with Eustace understood to have little interest in an exit from St Andrew's at this stage.

The club have also held tentative discussions with former Brighton boss Oscar Garcia, who was also briefly considered by rivals Cardiff City. Gregg Berhalter has also been spoken to, but his chances of landing the job have been played down by club insiders and reports across the Atlantic.

Former Southampton boss Nathan Jones isn't believed to be in the frame at this stage, although he does clearly have strong links with incoming sporting director Paul Watson.

The picture is expected to become clearer once Martin's exit is confirmed, with the move to Southampton held up over a dispute around the compensation package needed to prise him away from the Swansea.com Stadium.

The move to St Mary's is still expected to go through, and the cogs are clearly starting to turn on the search for the next boss ahead of what is shaping up to be an important summer.

READ MORE:

Kyle Naughton signs new deal at Swansea City as out-of-contract duo attract interest

Swansea City transfer news as new name thrown into Swans job mix and Latibeaudiere linked with Premier League move

The inside track on John Eustace, Birmingham City's 'element of uncertainty' and Swansea City's chances of luring him

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.