Duff unveiled as Swansea City new head coach 

After a three-week period of uncertainty of management at the club, 45-year-old Northern Irishman Duff will leave his position at Oakwell to join up with the returning Swansea City first-team squad for pre-season training in the next couple of days, before the Swans travel to La Finca Spain on the weekend for a high-intensity training camp. 

It is unknown whether Duff will be joined by assistant Martin Patterson and Martin Devaney after the departures of Martin and trusted assistant Matt Gill to St Mary’s Stadium on Wednesday. 

Having taken the Tykes to back-back play-off appearances in League One with limited resources, Duff will come to Swansea looking to build on Martin’s foundations where the Swans narrowly missed out on a Championship play-off placing finishing in tenth position after a fine nine-game unbeaten run at the back end of the season. 

Known for a high-intensity style with a solid base, Duff will bring his own ideas to the table and will offer a pragmatic approach to the traditional Swansea passing game. 

Duff’s resume also includes a four-year stay at Cheltenham Town as manager which saw the Robins pick up the League Two title, a club also where as a player the Nothern Irishman spend eight years playing at right back. 

As a player, Duff gained 24 caps for his country of birth including a memorable 1-0 win over England in 2005, whilst the departing Barnsley man has bragging rights to be the only player to have played in eight corresponding leagues of the English football pyramid. 

 Having tasted Premier League experience with Burnley, a club where over a decade, he made over 300 appearances, achieving three promotions to the top-flight, the new man in the hotseat is keen to stamp his own mark in Swansea. 

“There were lots of reasons I wanted to come to Swansea, the step up in level but also the infrastructure that’s already at the football club, speaking to the owners and the ambition they’ve got for the club matches by own ambition,” said Duff. 

“We need that one team mentality; the players, staff, fans, and board. Everyone needs to pull in the same direction because that’s the only way you’re going to achieve success. 

“I’ve had seven promotions in my career as a player and manager so I know what an environment should look and smell like. 

“I want to play good football and I know that there is an expectation of that at this football club, but it’s about evolving it, moving it and being a bit more on the front foot, and a bit more progressive at times. 

“It’s about getting the balance of all those things because ultimately, it’s a winning business. You’ve got to win.” 

Duff’s first game in charge will come against Birmingham City at the Swansea.com Stadium on Saturday, August 5th after the EFL released dates for the 2023-24 season. The Swans will then travel to the Hawthornes to face fellow midlands outfit West Bromwich Albion the following weekend, before facing play-off finalists Coventry back in SA1 a week later. The all-important first South-Wales derby for the new man will come just a month into the new season with a trip to the Cardiff City Stadium scheduled for the 16th of September with the reverse fixture taking place at the Swansea.com Stadium on the 16^th of March. 

“Hopefully the supporters are as excited as I am. We’re going to see some really good football which is a little bit more on the front foot,” continued Duff. 

We need the supporters as much as they need us and if we both turn up every week, then hopefully we’ll get more wins than losses.” 

(Lead Image: Swansea City Football Club)