The front-runners to succeed Luke Williams as the new next manager and odds of Notts County have been made public as he departs for Swansea City
Luke Williams replaces Michael Duff at Swansea City.
The 43-year-old has been named as the new manager of the Championship club. He replaces Michael Duff, who was fired at the start of December after only six months in charge. Swansea had been working out the specifics of the agreement, which calls for paying the Magpies a sizeable six-figure sum of money to acquire Williams.
Notts County new next manager odds and favorites candidates names list for 2023/24
Best wishes to Dan Gosling, who has departed Meadow Lane following the conclusion of his contract.
— Notts County FC (@Official_NCFC) January 6, 2024
With 32 points from 26 games played, 8 points away from the playoffs, and 10 points above the drop zone, the Welsh team is presently ranked 16th in the second tier. With 42 points from 26 games, Notts County is now 7 points behind third-place Wrexham in the fourth division.
Swansea’s official statement
Swansea City is delighted to confirm the appointment of Luke Williams as the club’s head coach. The 43-year-old joins the Swans on a three-and-a-half-year contract from Notts County, having led the Magpies to promotion to League Two following a superb National League campaign last season.
His assistant, Ryan Harley, and first-team coach analyst George Lawtey, also make the move from Meadow Lane as part of Williams’ coaching staff. They will be in charge for Saturday’s FA Cup third-round tie against Morecambe.
The club also expressed gratitude to Alan Sheehan, who guided the Swans masterfully in his seven games as interim head coach after taking over last month, finishing in the top ten. Alan would go back to his position as Luke’s assistant head coach.
Luke Williams’ hiring comes after a careful search for a head coach who can lead Swansea City to the kinds of performances and outcomes, they need to reach their objectives while demonstrating a dedication to a style of football consistent with the best recent traditions of the team.
Williams’ style of play
Williams, who is renowned for building teams with a possession-based strategy that is both dynamic and innovative, received a lot of praise for the excellent football his record-breaking Notts County team played.
They finished the 2022–23 season with 107 points, a league-record 117 goals scored and just 42 goals conceded, resulting in a league-record goal differential. They also established a new club record with 25 league games played without a loss. Aside from setting a club record by winning 32 of their 46 league games, they also advanced via the playoffs after defeating Chesterfield on penalties after trailing twice.
They are now the leading scorers in the top four divisions with 55 goals in 26 games this season, and they are seated fifth in the League Two table after making an impressive transition to the EFL with their striking style of play.
Luke Williams’ career
Williams’ playing career included time spent in the Norwich City academy and in non-league football before a knee injury ended his hopes of playing on the field. He got into coaching rapidly, working at West Ham United and Leyton Orient before joining the FA Skills program as a coach. Williams then joined Brighton & Hove Albion, where he managed the reserve and under-21 teams.
After taking over as Swindon’s assistant manager in 2013, he helped the team go to the 2015 League One play-off final, where they ultimately lost to Preston North End. Williams then led the Robins for 14 fruitful months before taking over as coach of Bristol City Under-23s, where members of the senior team commended his efforts in player development. Before moving to Swansea and his successful tenure with Notts County, he worked as an assistant at MK Dons.
Notts County official statement
Notts County confirmed that Luke Williams joined Swansea City as head coach, following his departure from Meadow Lane. The 43-year-old left for the Sky Bet Championship team with his assistant Ryan Harley and coach George Lawtey, who has an agreement in writing with both teams regarding pay.
Jim O’Brien, Tom Weal, and Joao Alves will manage first-team matters in the interim. The longest-serving player in the team, O’Brien holds a UEFA A license and has already begun his coaching career by working at Sheffield United’s academy. Fans are familiar with Weal as their head goalkeeper and set-piece coach, and Alves as a member of their first-team coaching and analysis group for several years.
Odds for the new Notts County manager
- Andrew Crofts – 5/1
- Mark Bonner – 6/1
- Gareth Ainsworth – 8/1
- Steve Cotterill – 10/1
- Pete Wild – 12/1
- Dean Holden – 12/1
- Brian Barry Murphy – 12/1
- Ben Garner – 12/1
- Stuart Maynard – 12/1