Stability needed or Swansea face 'trouble' - Britton

Leon Britton reckons stability is required at Swansea City to ensure the club do not end up dropping out of the Championship.

Britton is confident Swansea, who are six points clear of the drop zone with eight games remaining, will have enough quality to stay in the second tier this season.

But the club legend is concerned that off-field upheaval will eventually cost Swansea on the pitch.

In the last six weeks, Richard Montague has begun work as Swansea's director of football, while chairman Andy Coleman has handed over responsibility for the day-to-day running of the club to new chief executive Tom Gorringe.

Meanwhile, uncertainty over Swansea's long-term managerial situation continues after caretaker head coach Alan Sheehan agreed to remain in place until the end of the season.

Britton, a former Swansea midfielder, caretaker boss and sporting director, says off-field disruption does not help players deliver results.

"We need some stability for a period of time now. Hopefully the new chief executive and sporting director will be in their roles for quite a while and we can have a bit of smooth sailing," he told Radio Wales Breakfast.

"It has been a bit of a bumpy road in the last couple of years. On the pitch we have been looking over our shoulder and we need to settle things down.

"I think if the turnover in managers and executive positions carries on, eventually we are going to find ourselves in trouble and really having a battle on our hands to stay in the league."

Sheehan has been at the helm since the departure of Luke Williams in mid-February.

The Irishman had indicated he wanted to sign a long-term deal during the current international break, but has instead agreed to stay in place for the last five weeks of this campaign.

Swansea have allowed Sheehan to bring in two new staff members, Richard Stearman and Mark Fotheringham, as the club look to end any relegation concerns.

Britton says former Luton and Southampton coach Sheehan is in "pole position" to become Swansea head coach on a permanent basis.

"It's his job to lose if you like," Britton added.

"He'll be looking to get some results in this period, some strong performances, to really put himself in a position to say 'look, I am the man to take this club forward from the summer onwards'.

"Obviously if things don't go so well and performances and results don't follow, maybe the club will look to go in a different direction.

"But he will be looking at this period to really stamp his authority on the team and get the job full-time."

Britton says Sheehan's "main job" is to ensure Swansea are still in the Championship come August.

"I think we will be," he added.

"There are a couple of very tough games in there, including this Saturday against Leeds, and Sunderland, but the other six are games where you'd expect us to pick up enough points to make sure we are safe."