Sporting director Watson leaves Swansea

Paul Watson joined Swansea in the summer of 2023 after five years working for Luton Town

Swansea City sporting director Paul Watson has left the Championship club.

Watson - who previously held the role of chief operating officer during a five-year stint with Luton Town - was appointed as Swansea's sporting director in the summer of 2023.

Chairman Andy Coleman said: “I would like to extend our thanks to Paul for his work during his time with us. We wish him every success for the future.”

A club statement read: "The club will update in due course regarding recruitment plans for the position.

"In the meantime, Paul’s responsibilities will be handled by the existing football department staff."

His official arrival at the Championship club came four days after the Swans named Michael Duff as Russell Martin's successor.

It is thought Watson played a role in the recruitment of Duff, who was sacked in December following a run of just five wins in 19 league games.

Alan Sheehan took over as caretaker prior to the permanent appointment of current head coach Luke Williams in January.

Watson was among those criticised for the club's transfer activity during the 2023 summer transfer window - with few of Swansea's signings impressing and many deemed not suited to the club's preferred style of play.

The transfer business occurred despite Watson later claiming the recruitment structure at the club was not up to the required standard upon his arrival in south Wales.

Speaking of his maiden transfer window at Swansea at a fans forum in March, Watson said: "There were no scouts (at the club), no processes, no nothing.

"There wasn't a single person in the building, so the recruitment over the past few years, prior to us coming in, was almost on a whim. That couldn't last."

The sporting director angered some Swansea supporters after being pictured with former Luton boss Nathan Jones - a known Cardiff City fan - during the club's 5-0 FA Cup fourth round defeat by Bournemouth in January.

"I worked with Nathan for five years," Watson said of the incident.

"When I went to an away game, they put our seats together because they knew we'd worked together. On reflection, I apologise. It won't happen again. I certainly didn't mean to offend the fans."

There have been further concerns regarding the club's transfer strategy given that Williams' squad has been left short in areas following the exits of 13 players, and a further four fringe first-team players, over the summer, with only eight coming in, two of which were goalkeepers.