Ex-Swans boss Williams earning 'honest buck' at airport

News of Luke Williams' new job emerged after this photo, taken by Matthias Kenealy, appeared on social media

For a while at least, Luke Williams has swapped the managerial merry-go-round for the airport carousel.

He expects to return to more familiar terrain soon, however, with high-vis jacket removed and football boots back on his feet.

When that time comes, Williams believes he will be a better coach thanks to a spell working at Bristol Airport, where he has been a customer care assistant since last month.

"I am out of my comfort zone," the former Swansea City and Notts County boss tells BBC Sport Wales.

"I am trying to push myself to do something completely different.

"Football is challenging but I know football - it's what I do. This job has been really eye-opening for me and I hope it's going to help me in my next role in football."

Williams was the talk of social media last weekend having been photographed while on duty at the airport.

A football coach for two decades, the 44-year-old has been out of the game since leaving Swansea in February.

Given that he signed a three-and-a-half-year deal when he took charge at Swansea in January 2024, it is reasonable to assume that he is still being paid by the Championship club.

Williams could have spent his time on gardening leave twiddling his thumbs, but that is not his style.

'I wanted to do something meaningful'

Luke Williams spent 13 months in charge at Swansea having previously worked at the club as assistant to Russell Martin

Having seen hopes of a playing career ruined by injury - and having coached largely in the lower divisions - Williams is not someone who has made millions from football.

Nevertheless, he is not at Bristol Airport for the salary.

"I wanted to go and work and do something meaningful with my time," Williams explains.

"I am in a very fortunate position where I have some time. I spoke to a guy working in recruitment and he said look, the airport this year is going to be crazy busy, a lot of energy, and that it's a completely different industry that is going to have many issues that are going to be relatable to the rigours of managing a football club.

"And so I said OK, let me see if I can do this and it's been brilliant."

Williams, who lives in Newport, catches a bus from the city centre shortly before five o'clock in the morning to get to work.

He does shifts of between nine and 12 hours for five straight days, then has three days off.

"I am earning an honest buck and I am grafting hard for it," Williams says.

Luke Williams' Notts County beat Chesterfield in the National League play-off final in 2023

A National League play-off final winner at Notts County and a former boss at Swindon Town, Williams is known for his ability to lead.

At the airport, however, he is guided by "my new pal" Sergio, an Italian who has been in the job for a number of years.

"He is incredible," Williams says. "He has taken me under his wing and shown me the ropes.

"Sergio is a Napoli fan. He is very happy because they won the Scudetto [in May] and they have just signed Kevin De Bruyne.

"We are going around the airport together, trying to help the passengers and trying to have some fun while we are doing it."

Initially, Sergio had no idea about his new colleague's footballing background, but started asking questions when a passenger asked Williams for a selfie.

The ever humble Williams – whose old mate Bobby Zamora says "couldn't care less about fame and fortune" – has been recognised "a few times" in the last few weeks.

"Many people have stopped me and said hello and that's lovely," he adds.

"It's nice to see people rather than sit at home."

Swansea were eight points clear of the Championship relegation zone when Luke Williams left the club in February, having been four points outside the play-off places at the turn of the year

Williams' job is to help passengers in need of assistance, whether due to mobility issues or, he explains, because the airport environment "can be really loud and very busy and very confusing".

"It can be a really stressful place so we try to help them have a good experience," Williams says.

"If you have a mobility issue, you may need a lift to get you up to the plane or assistance getting out on to the tarmac. You have to try to get people through to make sure they don't miss their flight.

"There are some great examples of management – prioritising the right passenger at the right time, making sure they have the right equipment. I have been so fortunate because Sergio is the master."

It came as something of a surprise to Williams that the photograph taken of him at work and then posted on social media site X prompted so much interest.

There were numerous likes and shares followed by various headlines as this unusual story was picked up.

"I genuinely didn't think it would be that interesting to people but, if it is, that's fine and we can have a chat about it," Williams says.

"For me, this [interview] is a good opportunity to explain that I like working and I think this is a good way to add something to my actual trade, if you like.

"It's been a brilliant experience, but I think I am probably more cut out to be a football coach or a manager."

'Ready to go' when the opportunity comes

Had things been a little different, Williams might still be at Swansea and preparing for pre-season.

Having steered the club clear of relegation danger in the second half of 2023-24, Williams had Swansea within sight of the Championship play-offs - and playing good football - at the turn of this year.

Progress had been made despite upheaval behind the scenes and some questionable work in the transfer market.

But after a slump in form that nobody saw coming – and which coincided with a dispiriting January window – Williams lost his job amid concerns that Swansea may be dragged into a fight to stay up.

"There was lots of movement and changes and different things going on, a lot of turmoil during my time which was understandable," Williams says.

"But I look back very fondly. I loved my time at Swansea and learned so many things which I will take with me for my next job."

So when might Williams return to the touchline?

He is "ready to go at any time", whether it be as a head coach or assistant, but is adamant the club must be right.

"The things I have learned and the things that are valuable to me mean working somewhere that's in a good place and where people are pulling in the same direction," Williams says.

"Then I think I can help a football club to be successful. That's what's important to me."