JAAP STAM LINKED WITH SWANS JOB

SWANSEA City’s search for a new manager is set to step up this week with bookmakers placing former Reading boss Jaap Stam among those in the frame to succeed Carlos Carvalhal.

Graham Potter is the frontrunner for the job, with Brentford boss Dean Smith and exCrystal Palace manager Frank de Boer also being considered.

Chris Coleman is high in the betting but is not believed to want the job.

Swansea are mindful that there are a number of issues that will need addressing following relegation from the Premier League, including a high turnover of players and alterations to the recruitment team, but view the appointment of a manager as a priority to allow that individual to be heavily involved in that overhaul.

Stam’s name entered the fray over the weekend, with Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf reporting Swansea were keeping an eye on the former Manchester United centre-half.

The 45-year-old took Reading to the Championship play-off final a year ago but left the Royals in March after a disappointing season, with former Swans boss Paul Clement taking his place.

But Potter looks to be the favourite at this stage as Swansea look to appoint a young, ambitious manager with a commitment to playing progressive, attacking football. The 42-year-old has been interviewed for the Liberty Stadium job twice previously, as well as being considered for a job on the first-team coaching staff prior to that.

He has guided FK Ostersunds from the Swedish fourth tier to the top flight and led them in a memorable Europa League campaign that included wins over Galatasaray, Hertha Berlin and Arsenal, as well as a draw with Athletic Bilbao.

De Boer, meanwhile, has been out of work since leaving Crystal Palace in September after just five games in charge.

The former Barcelona and Ajax player won plaudits for his managerial success with a young group of players at the Amsterdam club but has since had two short spells with Inter Milan and then Palace.

Whoever the new manager is, he is set to be without a handful of players for the start of his first season in charge.

Midfielder Sam Clucas has undergone knee surgery and will not be available when the Championship season starts on the first weekend in August, while Leroy Fer will still be recovering from a ruptured Achilles. Wilfried Bony is also facing a race against time after a serious knee injury.

■ More Swans news: Sport Wales