October 10 – Former US national team coach Bob Bradley has become the first American to manage a top-flight European team after being appointed by Swansea City in succession to sacked Italian Francesco Guidolin.
Bradley’s appointment, the first managerial change of the Premier League campaign, may have something to do with the fact that the Welsh club’s owners are also American though Welsh reports said neither they nor their advisor, Landon Donovan, the former USA captain, took part in the decision.
Bradley had been at Le Havre in the French second division and makes his debut in charge of Swansea against Arsenal on Saturday week.
“We are delighted Bob has agreed to join us. He is highly regarded as a coach and has a wealth of experience on the international and domestic front,” said Swansea chairman Huw Jenkins.
“He is well aware of the club’s footballing philosophy and will provide us with strong leadership qualities and a renewed belief to compete at this level.
“It is never easy changing managers, but we are looking at a long-term appointment and we are confident Bob can settle us down and stabilise matters on and off the pitch.”
Swansea are 17th in the Premier League table, just outside the relegation zone and have lost five of their six league games.
Bradley, 58, spent five years as US head coach and has also coached the Egyptian national team and Norwegian side Stabaek.
His appointment is something of a gamble given the unique pressures of working in the Premier League and he will need to hit the ground running in order convince the doubters after reportedly being given the job in preference to former Wales captain and Manchester United icon Ryan Giggs.
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