From Premier League to Misery - What Has Happened to Swansea City?

From Premier League to Misery - What Has Happened to Swansea City?

From Europa League nights to EFL mediocrity, the glory days for Swansea City are now no more than a distant memory. The recent sacking of manager Alan Sheehan after just six months is just one of six manager turnarounds since July 2021 and signals the lack of stability at the club, who drift closer to joining old rivals Cardiff City in League One.

Midtable Again, "Olé, ole"

For most teams in the Championship, achieving a midtable finish can be seen as an accomplishment or something to build on for the season ahead. For Swansea City fans, it is a recurring nightmare. In the past four seasons, Swansea have finished as high as tenth place in the league and as low as 15th, a prime example of mid-table mediocrity.

Currently sat in 20th position this season with just four wins in 16 attempts, this drop in league ranking is perhaps a refreshing sight for the Swansea City faithful. Optimism was high for the club to return to the top flight under former manager Russell Martin, after his appointment and style of football represented 'The Swansea Way'.

Said way was to bore the opposition to death with heavy possession-based football and strict orders to play out from the back, and its effect had mixed success, though Cardiff fans would argue otherwise...

• 3-0
• 4-0
• 2-0
• 3-2

Russell Martin has now completed consecutive league doubles over Cardiff as Swansea manager. 🦢😮#Swans pic.twitter.com/QO2OFk2uX8

— Coaches' Voice (@CoachesVoice) April 1, 2023

Martin's tenure at the club lasted for two seasons (2021-22 to 2022-23), and he led the Swans to a 15th and tenth place finish before leaving for Southampton in June 2023. Pretty underwhelming, then, I'd argue. It wasn't as if the following managers set the world alight, particularly Luke Williams, who brought in a completely contrasting, chaotic pressing style of football. Williams led Swansea to a 14th-place finish in the 2023-24 season, following this up with one win in ten matches that saw his departure in February this year, believe it or not.

They Come and They Go

The Swansea camp has not been short of talented personnel in recent years. The likes of Joel Piroe, Conor Gallagher and Marc Guehi are just some of the standout names that have since gone on to play Premier League and European football.

Piroe in particular thrived during his time with the Welsh club, recording 22 and 19 goals in back-to-back seasons despite Swansea not being able to achieve any notable success in this time. For those that need reminding, Swansea City was an established Premier League team and spent seven consecutive seasons (2011-12 to 2017-18) in the top flight.

This spell included winning the League Cup in 2013 after defeating Bradford City 5-0 in the final, and they were rewarded with UEFA Europa League qualification for the 2013-2014 season. The name that comes to everyone's mind? Michu. A street will never forget the Premier League star and any excuse to showcase just how good he was.

On this day in 2012… 🗓

Swansea signed Michu! 🇪🇸

The streets won’t EVER forget.#Swanspic.twitter.com/52Cku1Ijv5

— Second Tier podcast (@secondtierpod) July 20, 2025

Safe to say that Swansea fans would do a lot to have him back at the club right now. Unfortunately, the striker announced his retirement from football in July 2017, aged just 31, after persistent setbacks with injury.

The Glory Days: Only a Matos of Time?

The Welsh side recently announced the appointment of Vítor Matos as the new first-team manager following the departure of Alan Sheehan. Matos joins the club from Portuguese second division side Maritimo, his first senior management role. Matos comes to the realm with a strong accolade, having been a member of Jurgen Klopp's coaching staff at Liverpool, where he spent five years as an elite development coach.

In that time, the Reds would go on to win the Premier League, FA Cup, UEFA Super Cup, FIFA Club World Cup, Community Shield and two League Cups. Having been influenced by one of the best Premier League managers of all time, it's no surprise that Swansea fans are excited about this appointment. Adding to The Swans parade, Matos will be accompanied by a coaching staff of ex-Swansea legends, including Joe Allen and Leon Britton, ahead of his first game in charge at home to Derby County this evening.

A new era starts tonight.

Patience needed with Vitor Matos, but as always, back him and give him time.

He’s a gamble, but if he can transform his words on to the pitch, we’ve found a gem.

Excited to see his Swansea City side over the next few weeks.

Big three points! 🦢🤞🏻 pic.twitter.com/RJbgGQtjlb

— Jordan (@JordanWebber96) November 25, 2025

Matos has stated that he wishes to instil a football style that makes fans excited to watch the team play every week. Whilst in Portugal, he achieved seven wins in 13 matches as manager and led the side to level on points with the league leaders, only shy of top spot on goal difference. It would be no surprise to see the 37-year-old implement the gegenpressing approach that brought Liverpool and Klopp much success through the years; it would perhaps be harsh to label it a more advanced style of Martin ball (I'm sure Rangers fans would not be happy with that one).

Either way, the appointment of Matos brings a breath of fresh air to a Swansea side desperate for change and foreseeable continuity if they wish to avoid joining their Welsh counterparts in the chambers of League One.