Let’s not beat around the bush.
This has been a truly chaotic summer for Swansea City.
Put to one side the fact that this squad has already lost several of its better players in an already disappointing transfer window – and indeed looks like losing captain Matt Grimes too.
Put to one side the loss of Steve Cooper, and John Eustace, the number one choice to replace him, choosing not to come to Swansea for what we are told were personal reasons.
Even permitting for the above, the cold hard fact that is currently staring us all in the face is that this makeshift Swansea squad are, with the season just over a week away, without a first team manager.
The gravity of the situation certainly isn’t lost on the fans and many feel the club’s hierarchy have some questions to answer when the dust on this saga finally settles.
For now, though, the focus has to be on getting a new manager through the door.
Here’s everything we know so far.
What’s the current situation?
Frustratingly, it’s more or less as you were.
At the time of writing, the club are still considering Jody Morris and Russell Martin.
Morris is now the favourite with the bookies, but sources inside the Liberty Stadium have not yet offered an indication that there is a preferred candidate at this stage.
Certainly a deal for Morris, who’s currently a free agent, appears less complicated, but Martin is believed to have caught the eye of the Swans hierarchy.
There has even been a suggestion that Martin has rejected an initial approach from the Swans – an assertion that’s been strongly refuted by those inside the club.
Whatever the circumstances, Martin does still appear to be in the running.
Martin’s comments
Morris has so far not commented publicly on the situation, but unsurprisingly the recent speculation was put to Martin at his MK Dons press conference on Friday morning, with his side set to take on Bournemouth in the Carabao Cup on Saturday.
The former Scotland international was largely diplomatic in his response, but did state that the Swans had not yet made an official approach to his employers.
“If something official happened, I’m pretty sure you’d know that pretty quickly,” Martin said.
“As far as I’m concerned we’re here and doing a job. A job I really enjoy.
“After that, I don’t know how long the journey with us will last. I’m planning to be here a long time, but in football you never know.
“At this moment in time, I’m happy and I’m with a group of people I really enjoy doing it with.
“I think the club would have told you. No one’s told me there has been.”
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Is anyone else in the frame?
Not at the moment.
The bookies had installed former Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder as favourite at one point, with the departure of his assistant Alan Knill from Bramall Lane by mutual consent coming earlier the same day.
Knill is of course a former Wales international and Swansea City defender, so there is a connection there of sorts.
But it’s understood Wilder’s name has not yet been mentioned inside the corridors of power at the Liberty Stadium. He’s not been approached by the club, nor is he expected to be.
Some have also suggested that current interim boss Alan Tate could also be considered, a scenario that certainly doesn’t appear beyond the realms of possibility.
Tate is set to take charge once again of the Swans for Saturday’s pre-season friendly, and would no doubt be willing to step up if needed, such is his obvious love for the club.
But at the moment, he is not being considered as a long-term solution
When are we likely to see a breakthrough?
The club are said to be confident of getting a new man installed before the start of the new season, with the Swans set to take on Blackburn on August 7.
However, while the situation could obviously change very quickly, a new man is not expected to be appointed until early next week – with the season almost upon us.
Why is it taking so long?
That’s the key question and, to be frank, there isn’t really a definitive answer yet.
Clearly sounding out two possible candidates takes time and, if there’s even a grain of truth in Martin turning down Swansea’s approach, it would in itself be enough for a delay.
In fairness to the club, they were more than likely expecting Eustace to have already taken charge by this point, and have effectively had to lay out the ground work all over again in terms of the search.
Add to that the fact that Martin seems to really believe in his project at Milton Keynes, and would likely need some persuading to move on, and clearly the situation becomes more complex.
Morris too would likely need assurances ahead of taking what would be his first job in senior management.
The American owners are also having to battle through logistical issues with time differences in order to align their thinking with Julian Winter, who remains the one overseeing things on the ground.
That last reason likely won’t fly for many Swans fans and, in many ways, nor should it, but it certainly isn’t making things any easier.
What about transfers?
Transfer activity is believed to be more or less on hold until a new manager is in place.
Matt Grimes and George Byers could be sold, but are unlikely to go anywhere while the search is still ongoing.
Once the new man is in place, there will be an opportunity to assess the squad and the transfer work will then resume.
As well as outgoings, there’s also a desperate need for reinforcements before the close of the current window.
Kyle Joseph, Joel Piroe and Liam Walsh have already been added to the ranks this summer, but there is clearly still plenty of work to be done.
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