Popular Italian did a fine job in turbulent period at the Liberty

RELATIVELY unknown in the UK, Francesco Guidolin was appointed Swansea City manager in January 2016.

The 60-year-old replaced Garry Monk, sacked after a disappointing run of only one win from 11 games.

Highly regarded in Italy, but with no experience of the Premier League, Guidolin had done well at unfashionable clubs in Serie A including Udinese and Bologna. With that track record, and a tactically astute reputation, this looked a good move by Swansea.

Arriving at the Liberty Stadium with the club in 18th place and occupying one of the relegation spots, Guidolin made an immediate impression by galvanising the playing squad, helped by a somewhat fortunate 2-1 win at Everton in his first game courtesy of a penalty from Gylfi Sigurdsson and a strike from Andre Ayew.

The improved form continued throughout the season as Guidolin led the Swans to morale-boosting and important victories over Arsenal and Chelsea as they climbed to a respectable 12th-place finish.

Despite talk of a Brendan Rodgers return, Guidolin was offered a new two-year contract which he accepted in readiness for the start of the 2016-17 season.

But, by now, the club was in the process of being sold. Chairman Huw Jenkins and his fellow shareholders eventually completed the sale to an American investment group led by Steve Kaplan and Jason Levien.

They purchased a controlling stake of almost 70 per cent in the club, with Swansea City Supporters’ Trust claiming it had been left out of early negotiations, despite its 21 per cent ownership.

Fans were naturally annoyed, asking what due diligence had been carried out by Jenkins and others in their desire to complete a sale.

As an ordinary fan of the club, I cannot blame Jenkins et al for wanting to sell. It was their right, legally and morally. However, the manner in which it was handled left a sour taste with me.

The Trust says it was made aware of the potential sale in March 2016, but insisted that no formal offer for the purchase of the Trust shares was made as part of the sale to Kaplan and Levien, which was completed that July.

Despite promises from Kaplan and Levien stating their “intent for the club to be a long-term fixture in the Premier League”, they have, in my view, shown little in terms of action to back up their comments, being largely absent from all things Swansea City.

While the new owners wanted Jenkins to remain as chairman, the atmosphere in and around the club was changing.

It was no longer the model club, previously admired and respected by everyone.

With the 2016-17 season now under way, and the Swans sixth in the Premier League and with Guidolin hoping to build on his impressive end to the previous campaign, the new owners had other ideas.

With a respectable record of nine wins and 11 defeats from his 25 league games, it was with some surprise that the likeable and popular Italian was sacked on October 3 – his 61st birthday.

The American owners appointed fellow countryman Bob Bradley as the new manager. It turned into arguably the least appropriate appointment by the club since Kevin Cullis joined – briefly – as manager in 1996.

With Swansea struggling to maintain their image, these were worrying times for the club.

And consequently, Bradley didn’t last long...