Paulo Sousa slams Swansea’s past managerial successes
Paulo Sousa slams Swansea’s past managerial successes
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Former Swansea City boss Paulo Sousa has slammed previous managerial successes at his old club, claiming the board are to thank for a rampant rise to prominence, after responding to recent criticism from current coach Garry Monk.
Under the watchful eye of Monk, Swansea are odds-on 1/4 with Coral to finish in the top ten, but in his autobiography, the Welshman slated Sousa and declared his reign at the Liberty Stadium was a waste of time. However, Sousa, who left Wales to take charge of Leicester City in 2010, has hit back at Monk.
“Look, he’s a person I want to succeed, like everyone. But unfortunately he said things about me and I don’t appreciate people talking about somebody when they don’t have the courage to say it up front,” said Sousa.
“He is well integrated in the club, but the key for success at Swansea is the leadership of [Swans chairman Huw] Jenkins and the support of the board members, not one manager.”
Current Basel boss Sousa is experiencing a successful spell with the Swiss Super League side, having guided them to the last 16 of this season’s Champions League, while his former employers Swansea presently sit in ninth of the Premier League table.
Monk’s Swans are 10 points adrift of a European position, but have comfortably secured their top-flight status this term, having reached the 40-point landmark.
Sousa’s recent outburst comes five years after departing the Welsh side, and could potentiality be seen as a bitter rant, with past managers in the last decade having secured impressive feats during their time in charge.
As far back as Kenny Jackett’s reign, Swansea were making an impact on the Football League, and gained promotion from League Two under the Welsh boss, as well as lifting the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy in 2006.
Present Everton manager Roberto Martinez soon took over in 2007, and also secured an impressive promotion from League One, before Sousa’s reign began in the summer of 2009.
After only a single season, the Portuguese coach left his role to manage the Foxes, having deliver a win percentage of 36.73, a ratio lower than that of Spaniard Martinez’s.
It was current Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers who then took control of Swansea, guiding the Swans to an incredible Championship play-off triumph with his free-flowing style of play, and amazingly lead them to becoming the first ever Welsh side to gain Premier League status.
Following the Northern Irishman’s departure, Danish legend Michael Laudrup was next in line, and he enjoyed a triumphant career at the Liberty Stadium as well, picking up their first trophy in England with a 2013 League Cup coup.
Former Swansea captain Monk is now at the helm, having succeeded Laudrup last February, and is set to secure his side a top 10 finish.
There is no doubt that club chairman Jenkins has had a massive impact on Swansea’s sustained success over the past decade, but the high-profile managers that have come and gone are also huge contributors towards their current position and a key factor in recent glories, possibly proving Sousa’s critical comments wrong.
