Update from the Board
The weeks following relegation from the Premier League have seen much change at the club and we thought it was time supporters were brought up to speed with the most important of those developments.
Our search for a new manager concluded with the arrival of Graham Potter and his backroom staff. We took a little time over the decision because everybody connected with Swansea City knew just how vital an appointment this was in establishing the future of the club.
We interviewed several other candidates including some vastly experienced managers but, in our hearts, we knew Graham had so much to offer. He had been on the radar for some months, not simply because of what he achieved in Sweden but because of his modern, forward-thinking principles which are completely in tune with what is needed at this point in the club's history.
Since his appointment, we have been nothing but hugely impressed with his vision for the club, its need to re-establish an identity and a style of football that befits the traditions of Swansea City.
Nobody is asking Graham to take the club back to the past, but we all know both the team and the club have to stand for something and that is exactly what he is striving to do.
At the end of last season, we talked about a strengthening and re-structuring of our recruitment process and strategy in an attempt to avoid the mistakes of the recent past. Graham will be at the forefront of those changes but will not be left to stand alone in the process and will receive plenty of support.
Graham will be the single most important voice in the recruitment process. He is the leader and has the final say on the players we buy and sell within the financial framework set by the chairman and Board of Directors.
Of course, he will have a support structure around him. Kyle Macaulay has been appointed as the club’s new Head of Recruitment after working closely with Graham at Ostersund and the relationship between them is vital to the success of our new system. It will be Kyle who is charged with heading up the day-to-day recruitment process.
Between them, they will oversee a completely new scouting network which, as a priority, will be recruited and finalised over the next few weeks. Graham will decide which areas of the team or squad need strengthening and then 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.
In a series of meetings recently, we were impressed with the diligence and depth of detail Graham, Kyle and Billy Reid have already brought to the job. This has to be a new start for the club and we feel confident they are the men to instill freshness and belief in Swansea City.
Inevitably there have been - and will continue to be - changes in the playing staff. A consequence of relegation is you lose players you would obviously have preferred to keep, but Graham has made it clear he only wants to work with players who want to be at the club and those who share his vision.
It is too early to start making rash promises. What we can say with some confidence is that we have implemented much of the changes necessary to make Swansea City fit for purpose once more.
Everybody has taken stock, taken a deep breath and will face the new season with an enthusiasm that the club will stand for something in which both the supporters and wider community can take pride. That is the most important thing.
Best wishes for the summer and the new season.
Steve Kaplan, Jason Levien and Huw Jenkins
