Swansea City’s Supporters Trust has hit out at the club’s majority shareholders for not consulting them over this week’s managerial change.
The trust holds a 21.1% stake in the club, but claims their designated supporter director was not consulted over the decision to replace Francesco Guidolin with former Le Havre coach Bob Bradley.
Bradley, a previous coach of the United States Men’s National team, was appointed by the club’s new American majority shareholders, prompting the Supporters’ Trust to issue a statement detailing their disappointment with the manner in which the change was conducted.
We can confirm the club has parted company with Francesco Guidolin, who will be replaced by Bob Bradley. pic.twitter.com/ezFbt1bxAQ
— Swansea City AFC (@SwansOfficial) October 3, 2016
‘At no stage have we been involved in the decision to remove Francesco from his position nor in the appointment of his successor,’ the statement reads.
‘Having been an integral part of the club board for 15 years we are saddened that decisions as major as this can be taken without our involvement, despite earlier assurances from the new majority shareholders that they wished to work closely with the Supporters’ Trust. These representations will be made to the shareholders of the club and our fellow directors.
‘We are also frustrated and angry that the club have allowed the speculation over the manager’s future to be played out in public and want to thank Francesco and his team for their time at Swansea, in particular the professional way in which Francesco has dealt with the recent speculation. We wish them all the best for the future.’
Stu Forster/Getty Images
The Supporters’ Trust have been involved in previous managerial decisions, and gave its support to Guidolin when he was handed an extended contract after keeping the Swans in the Premier League last season.
It also backed the board’s decision to part ways with Guidolin’s predecessor Garry Monk after a poor run of form last season.
However the relationship with the new majority shareholders – Memphis Grizzlies co-owner Steve Kaplan and DC United co-owner Jason Levien – has seemingly not got off to the start many within the trust wanted.
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