Coleman to leave Swansea chairman role

Andy Coleman, along with fellow American businessmen Brett Cravatt and Jason Cohen, owns a 77.41% stake in Swansea City

Andy Coleman's spell as chairman of Swansea City will end at the conclusion of the 2024-25 season, though he will remain at the club as a board member and co-investor.

The American businessman became chairman in May 2023 after buying a "significant shareholding" in the Championship club.

But Coleman's tenure is in its closing stages, with Swansea saying he told the club's board of his decision to step down.

"It has been one of the great privileges of my life to have led this great club for two years," Coleman said.

"When our family decided to move to Swansea, we knew such a commitment would require tremendous effort and a lot of sacrifice, and we have been 'all in' since the moment we arrived.

"I have given every ounce of who I am to this club, and I am so grateful to everyone at Swansea City, and in the Swansea community, for welcoming us and for becoming such an integral part of our lives.

"These close personal relationships, with staff and supporters, will serve us well as an ownership group moving into the years ahead."

Coleman moved to Wales with his family in the summer of 2023, but is expected to return to the USA this summer.

He said becoming chairman meant taking "considerable time away" from wife Anne and his family.

"I will always be grateful to Anne for sacrificing so much on my behalf. Now though is the time for me to shift my focus back on to them," added Coleman.

When he arrived, Coleman took responsibility for the day-to-day running of Swansea, repeatedly insisting he - rather than the club's then majority shareholders Jason Levien and Steve Kaplan - was in charge.

Levien and Kaplan severed ties with Swansea in November 2024, selling their stake in the club to Coleman, fellow shareholders Brett Cravatt and Nigel Morris and businessman Jason Cohen.

Coleman hailed the takeover as the start of "a new era" for Swansea, yet just four months he is preparing to step down from his key role at the club.

Changes in the dugout and transfer criticism

In the early days of Coleman's tenure, Swansea head coach Russell Martin left for Southampton amid a legal dispute which was eventually settled last year.

Swansea, meanwhile, appointed Paul Watson as sporting director - a role in which he lasted just 16 months - while Michael Duff arrived as head coach only to be sacked less than six months later.

They eventually replaced Duff with Luke Williams, who kept the club in the Championship and then showed promise this season before a slump at the start of 2025 saw him depart last month.

Williams left his post just 24 hours before Watson's long-awaited replacement, Richard Montague, arrived from Williams' former club Notts County to begin work as Swansea's director of football.

Swansea have been criticised for their transfer work in every window of the Coleman era.

During Duff's reign, Swansea recruited a number of players who have made little impact.

There were more issues in January 2024 and last summer, with fans raising concerns again after the most recent window as captain Matt Grimes was sold to Coventry, a deal which came as a heavy blow to a squad already lacking quality and depth.

Only Lewis O'Brien and Hannes Delcroix joined on loan, although Melker Widell was signed from AaB Aalborg before being loaned back to the Danish outfit.

Williams voiced his concerns just weeks before his departure.

"I think the chairman was a bit shocked that things weren't prepared and organised to the level that he expected them to be," Williams said in early February.

"It shouldn't be panic stations for 48 hours, just madness trying to get things done that should have been prepared for months in advance."

Former sporting director Paul Watson drew criticism from fans during Swansea City's draw with Coventry in December 2023

Swansea's transfer struggles have proven particularly frustrating for fans given that in February 2024, Coleman said the club were better placed to act swiftly when pursuing targets.

Coleman was recently heavily criticised by supporters after the club called off a fans' forum for the second time.

The initial forum - scheduled for 18 February - was postponed following the departure of Williams a day earlier.

But Swansea called off the second forum - scheduled for 3 March - citing the following night's game against Preston among the reasons for their "difficult decision to postpone".

In the wake of Williams' exit, Swansea announced a restructuring of its leadership team which included the appointment of Tom Gorringe as chief operating officer.

Swansea remain in the hunt for a new head coach, with interim boss Alan Sheehan handed the reins until the upcoming international break.

Sheehan will hold talks with director of football Montague - who is leading the managerial search - following Saturday's Championship fixture with Burnley.

With nine matches of the 2024-25 season remaining, Swansea sit 16th in the Championship on 44 points, nine points above the relegation zone.