Michael Flynn: Swindon Town manager departs after eight months in charge

Michael Flynn took over at Swindon last May and leaves with the club 15th in the table

Swindon Town manager Michael Flynn has left the League Two club after just over eight months in charge following their 2-1 defeat by Crewe on Saturday.

Flynn was appointed on 8 May last year and signed a contract extension at the start of November to run until the end of 2025-26.

A club statement said the decision came as a "result of amicable discussions".

Swindon are 15th in the table and have won just three of their past 15 matches, losing 10 of them.

Flynn's assistant manager Wayne Hatswell has also departed, with Gavin Gunning - the Robins' development phase loans manager - taking charge of the team in the interim period.

"Firstly, I would like to thank Michael and Wayne for their efforts during their time at the club and wish them all the best in the future," club owner Clem Morfuni said.

"I have confidence that Gavin can deliver a successful campaign for the 2023-24 season and this starts with Saturday's game against Tranmere.

"We hope our supporters will continue to back the first team and the new coaching staff we have in place, as we look to build a positive, successful environment."

Former Walsall and Newport County boss Flynn took over at the Wiltshire club at the end of last season, following the sacking of Jody Morris after 18 games in charge.

Swindon started this season with a run of nine league games unbeaten but results have since faded, with the Robins now eight points away from the top six.

Their 54 goals conceded is also the joint-second worst total of any club in the division.

The team has been hampered by a number of injuries to first-team players this winter and after the loss to Crawley, Flynn said they had been at their "bare bones". Two players were signed on Friday, with Flynn indicating on Saturday that more were coming this week.

However, his departure means Swindon are now searching for their fifth manager since June 2022 after Ben Garner, Scott Lindsey and Morris preceded him.

Swindon owner Morfuni - who took over in July 2021 following a lengthy legal battle - reiterated in November that he was committed to the club and not looking to sell.

Yet last month he was charged with breaking English Football League rules, for failing to disclose that he transferred 17.1% of shares in the club in September 2022.

'Contract extension in November, departure in January'

Analysis - BBC Radio Wiltshire's Andrew Hawes

Poker players will know life with the three of clubs and six of spades is much harder than having a pair of kings. You can do something with it, but it requires creativity and luck.

That was pretty much the task handed to Michael Flynn. On the pitch, August was tremendous fun. Off it, time slipped away and with it, the extra players obviously needed.

Injuries quickly took their toll, as happened to him at Walsall, and the gamble of the expansive style paid off less and less.

But when the fun stopped, things remained the same. Formation and style were consistent, and that's where the hand might have been played differently.

But the blame is far from his alone. What plan exists when a manager has a contract extended in November and leaves before spring?

Flynn's successor would be better off being a magician than a poker player.