As big a mark off pitch
“I’ve been keen to establish a team ethos throughout the club and create that feeling of being joined up between the management and coaching staff and all being in it together. I think Leon helps to create that togetherness with his strong relationship with Steve and his coaching team, plus our head of recruitment Andy Scott. I believe we have formed a really close management team behind the scenes.
“Leon has demonstrated a great understanding of what we are trying to achieve here at Swansea City and this new role is recognition of that work and the experience and quality he can bring to the table as we look to rebuild the football operation and bring the club back to its roots and the community.
“As an icon of the club who typifies what Swansea City is all about, I’m sure our supporters will be delighted he will be at the forefront of driving this football club forward.
“I’m really looking forward to working with Leon and the rest of the team. I’m excited about developing the club behind the scenes and creating a successful and long-term sustainable future for Swansea City.’’
You suspect that Birch is grooming Britton to become his successor at the Liberty and the early signs have been encouraging. In fact, more than encouraging.
During the manager hunt, during which Swansea spoke to more than 60 candidates, Britton’s own contacts in the game proved to be beneficial and the stressful period demonstrated Britton’s close relationship with Birch.
“I have spoken to a few people I haven’t spoken to for many years. I forgot they had my number,” he said back in May. It has been 24-7. I go home at 8pm and put my feet up and then I get a phone call – do you like this player and do you want this manager? “I leave Trevor at 7.30pm and I am speaking to him again at 8.30pm. There are a lot of phone calls naturally because of the situation we are in.
“It’s a lot busier but it’s something I want to get stuck into after the year out.
“But what we are trying to do is to get a structure back in place. We need a system where we find players. We want this type of player in this position and I may go and watch them or Trevor or the manager.
“I am sure I will go to games. It’s important to watch players yourself. We are going to be straight down to work. I am sure we are going to be adding to the squad.
“We have already looked at and what we think we might need. If we lose a couple as well, we will have to bring some more in. I have spoken with Trevor and Curt about where we could do with strengthening and the balance of the squad.”
Swansea’s management structure is now in place and appears to be well balanced; in Cooper, Mike Marsh, Andy Scott et al Swansea look in safe hands on the training field and on the scouting front. And at the top of the tree sit Birch and Britton. They are a visible presence at Fairwood; both have offices there and the two meet every single day.
On matchdays the pair are never far apart, with both mingling with players in the tunnel after games. They also take in age-grade games together at Landore. Their approach is very much hands-on. Over the summer, during Cooper’s early days at the club, Britton was pictured on the training field, watching over as a new era began at Fairwood.
The same fresh start is happening in the corridors of power at the Liberty, too. And Britton, like he was in his playing days, is key to it all.