Swansea City did not particularly have a comfortable time in the past few years. From playing in Europe to be relegated in the Championship – the Swans lost the plot since parting ways with Garry Monk back in 2015. But they never compromised their brand of football manifested by Roberto Martinez and Brendan Rodgers while making strides through the lower leagues. Now, the club have played a masterstroke by appointing Steve Cooper to succeed Graham Potter as their new chief.
They finished 10th last season under Potter but redeemed the identity to some extent following their demotion the campaign before. They tried to keep hold of the Englishman this term too but failed to do so amid interest from Brighton & Hove Albion to replace Chris Hughton on the South Coast.
But the show must go on and the Welsh outfit appointed another young and dynamic manager with great values and philosophy regarding this beautiful game. This might be Cooper’s maiden managerial experience at the senior level, but the Swans’ resurgence is no fluke having claimed five wins in six games to grab the top of the table spot ahead of season’s first international break.
The Resurrection Of The Swans
The 39-year-old Welshman did not have a glittering playing career but he came into management at a pretty young age with Wrexham and later Liverpool as their academy manager. Cooper spent five years in Merseyside before joining the FA as a youth coach educator. He was then appointed as the England U16s boss and went on to win the 2017 FIFA U17 World Cup three years later portraying some exquisite and exciting football.
The likes of Jadon Sancho, Phil Foden, Callum Hudson-Odoi, Rhian Brewster and Morgan Gibbs-White have benefitted immensely from Cooper’s guidance and the gaffer has successfully implemented a similar pathway for the youth at Swansea to step up and deliver alongside the experienced individuals.
How Cooper Is Turning Things Around
“Brave on the ball, pass, pass, pass, not one long ball, get into good areas, play as a team and some good individual play up the field as well.”
Cooper opened up on his preferred style of play before attaining World Cup glory in India. His philosophy has not deviated for once, not even after the high-profile exits of Daniel James, Jordan Ayew and Oliver McBurnie who are setting the Premier League on fire.
The summer business at the Liberty has been low-key and the manager is relying upon his youngsters who have been scintillating so far in these early weeks. Trusting the experience of Borja Baston, Wayne Routledge, Kyle Naughton, Nathan Dyer and Andre Ayew is also paying off and the mash-up is shining enough to secure a top-flight return.
