Swansea City have parted ways with head coach Alan Sheehan, ending his tenure just over six months after his permanent appointment.
The 39-year-old Irishman, who earned praise for two strong interim spells before taking the job full-time in late 2024, departs following a disappointing run of form that has left the Championship side languishing in 18th place.
A club statement confirmed the decision, citing results and performances that “do not meet the standards expected at this stage of the season.” The club added that the process of appointing a new head coach is already under way and that supporters will be updated once it concludes.
Swansea have managed just four league wins from their opening 15 matches — their lowest tally at this point of a season since relegation from the Premier League in 2018. Saturday’s 4-1 home defeat to Ipswich Town proved to be the final straw for Sheehan, with sections of the home crowd audibly expressing their frustration during and after the match.
In a joint statement, Swansea City’s owners Brett Cravatt and Jason Cohen paid tribute to Sheehan’s efforts both as interim and permanent boss.
“Alan has been instrumental in helping improve the club through two different periods,” they said. “He has a tireless work ethic, an honest approach and a positive attitude. The club would like to thank him for his dedication and wish him and his family the very best for the future.”
Sheehan first joined Swansea as Michael Duff’s assistant in the summer of 2023 and twice took over on an interim basis. His initial stint, following Duff’s departure in December 2023, yielded 11 points from a possible 21. After Luke Williams was appointed as Duff’s successor, Sheehan returned to the assistant role until Williams himself was dismissed a year later.
In his second caretaker spell, Sheehan guided Swansea to an impressive 24 points from 13 matches, lifting the team to an 11th-place finish after flirting with relegation. The turnaround earned him a three-year contract in April 2025, with the club’s new ownership group backing him significantly in the summer transfer window.
Big-money signings such as Adam Idah, Marko Stamenic, Zeidane Inoussa and Ethan Galbraith reflected Swansea’s ambition to challenge for promotion. However, those investments have yet to yield results on the pitch.
Despite strengthening their squad, Swansea have failed to deliver in the attacking third. The team’s expected goals (xG) figure of 12.48 is the lowest in the Championship, while their 15 big chances created is also a division-worst.
Mounting frustration among supporters came to the fore during the Ipswich defeat, with boos heard at both half-time and full-time and chants calling for Sheehan’s dismissal.
Sheehan departs with a record of one win in his last eight matches across all competitions — a run that ultimately cost him his position.
The international break gives Swansea’s hierarchy a brief window to install a successor capable of reviving the club’s campaign and reigniting hopes of a top-six challenge.
Swansea return to Championship action on Saturday, 22 November, when they face Bristol City at Ashton Gate (12:30 GMT).
