Swansea boss search 'coming to conclusion'

Alan Sheehan has helped Swansea claim 17 points from nine games since replacing Luke Williams in February

Alan Sheehan believes Swansea City's hierarchy are close to making a decision on whether he will remain in charge beyond this season.

Sheehan has been in caretaker charge since the departure of Luke Williams in February.

He has overseen a sharp turnaround in form, with a Swansea side who had lost seven of nine Championship games prior to Williams' exit taking 17 points from their next nine matches to pull away from relegation danger.

That upturn has given Swansea time to consider their managerial options for 2025-26, with director of football Richard Montague speaking to various potential candidates – including a handful based in Europe – about the vacancy.

"I speak to the owners, I have spoken to Richard and I think the process is coming to a conclusion," Sheehan said.

"You guys will be the first to know. They had to go through the process. It's been a few months now so we'll have to wait and see."

Sheehan, who has made it clear he wants the job on a long-term basis, is in his second spell in temporary charge having held the fort for seven games before Williams took the reins in January 2024.

In all, the Irishman has helped Swansea to an impressive return of 28 points from 16 matches in charge.

The Swans host Hull City on Friday (15:00 BST) having won three straight games for the first time this season to climb into the top half of the table.

"I think as far as auditions go, points et cetera and some of the performances, I think we are in a really positive place right now," Sheehan added.

"There is such a wonderful feel around the place. I just want to work hard, I want my staff to work hard and I think the level of work in the last while has been really outstanding."

Sheehan says there is "a real bond growing" between a management team which includes two coaches he brought in on short-term deals last month, Mark Fotheringham and Richard Stearman, as well as goalkeeping coach Martyn Margetson and club stalwart Kristian O'Leary.

Sheehan has won support from the dressing room, with captain Ben Cabango and right-back Josh Key both backing him to take charge for the long term.

When asked whether there have been negotiations with Swansea over a long-term deal to remain as head coach, Sheehan said: "We haven't discussed that yet.

"My duty of care is to the football club. I am never going to walk out on these players, these fans. As long as I work for this football club, that's all I am focused on.

"You ask me, are you happy with what you have done? Yes incredibly happy, very proud of everything at the moment. But I am not overly surprised. I think momentum is a powerful thing in football."

After Hull, Swansea go to Queens Park Rangers on Monday before returning to London to face Millwall six days later.

They then finish the season with a home game against Oxford United, with Sheehan challenging his players to maintain their current form.

"That's the aim," he said. "My memo when I came in was to keep us in the league. But my own private one was to finish higher than that all along.

"To do that you need a group that believe in that and right now you see a very good team."

Sheehan, meanwhile, has welcomed news that Luka Modric has become an investor and co-owner at Swansea, but said he is unsure on what role the Real Madrid and Croatia star will play.

"He is a magician of a footballer, just an incredible player," Sheehan said.

"To have him here and involved in the football club can only be another positive move.

"Does it attract better players? Does it attract better people to the football club? Yeah, definitely. I think it could be a pull."