PULIS TIP FOR SWANS
PREMIER LEAGUE’S BOTTOM CLUB AXE CLEMENT, WITH EX-WEST BROM BOSS FAVOURITE
Swansea City hope to appoint a new manager today – after sacking Paul Clement last night, with the club rooted to the bottom of the Premier League table.
Welshman Tony Pulis is the bookies’ red-hot favourite to take over, just weeks after his departure from fellow strugglers West Brom.
Clement, 45, had been under increasing pressure and the Swans confirmed his departure with the team four points adrift of safety.
Assistant managers Nigel Gibbs and Karl Halabi have also left the club.
Swansea have lost all but two of their last 10 league games and have registered just 12 points from their opening 18 fixtures.
Ex-Derby boss Clement had been in the role for less than 12 months after replacing Bob Bradley in January
Swansea were in the relegation zone when Clement took charge and he steered them to safety, finishing 15th at the end of last season.
But the Swans have won only three league games this time around, scoring 10 goals, and chairman Huw Jenkins said the club could not leave it any longer.
Jenkins said: “To change the manager, especially at only the halfway point of the season, is the last thing we wanted to do as a club.
“We had three different managers last season and as a result we all wanted to give Paul as much time as possible to turn things around.
“But we felt we couldn’t leave it any longer and needed to make a change to give us the best chance of an uplift and a turnaround in fortunes with the club bottom of the Premier League.
“Paul has been at the club for 12 months and what he achieved in the second half of last season to keep us in the top flight was a tremendous feat. For that, and his effort and commitment this season, it goes without saying that the club thanks him for his work, together with Nigel and Karl.
“I have had an excellent working relationship with Paul and we are all, including the owners, surprised and disappointed it hasn’t worked out this season. We wish Paul every success in his career going forward.’’
Brendan Rodgers was glad to see his Celtic side get back on track with a 2-0 Ladbrokes Premiership win over Partick Thistle at Parkhead.
Stuart Armstrong and Kieran Tierney got Celtic back on track after the 4-0 weekend thumping at Hearts.
They are five points clear of Aberdeen, who visit on Saturday.
Rodgers, who has signed RB Leipzig defender Marvin Compper, said: “I said before the game that you define yourself as a team whenever you have disappointment, and your reaction to it.
“The players reacted very well. It was always going to be a tricky game.”