Duff linked to Swansea

I hope the club are doing more than just hoping that nobody meets the compo clause. Not convinced that is the case though.

If we lost the coach to a club just relegated to the championship, or regularly getting 25k fans in, it would be more palatable. Swansea are pretty meh in terms of their crowds and budgets. And their recent playing style would also mean it’s a gamble from Duff to go. Would be bitterly disappointing if we can’t convince him to stay rather than go there.

 

When Duff joined, he spoke about how he was shocked by the level of discontent among the fanbase and that bridges needed to be built (or words to that effect). So that was a revelation. But what would have been known to Duff when he joined is the type of club we are, the conveyor belt of players, the yo-yoing between champ and L1, the disasters of the previous board, the budget year on year, the expectation etc. I'm sure every summer a manager and chairman sit down and talk about these things for the coming season (budget/expectation/potential transfers), but Duff isn't even the Manager, he's the Head Coach who, to my knowledge, doesn't decide on transfers.

What I'm getting at is, if Duff goes it will be entirely his decision. If he wants to stay, of course the board's vision for the next 12 months will play a part, but it's not everything. Loyalty in the game is almost dead, and Duff is very much an exception. I hope he wants to continue to build on the foundations he's laid here, and I believe he will. If he goes, it will be down to him.

 

Swansea payroll last year twice that of Barnsley, £28m but debt of £35m.

Swansea may not be much bigger by fanbase but financially they are on another level. Subject to the owners continuing to bankroll them.

His loyalty to his family and a big pay rise may significantly outweigh his loyalty to BFC.

 

But how much of that payroll goes to the coach? And how does that budget compare with the rest of the championship, in relation to the expectations that will be on him?

 

it illustrates that Swansea have a budget way in excess of BFC.

 

But it doesn’t indicate how much of a pay rise he will be offered, or whether the expectations on where they will finish in the league are realistic.

 

it gives you an idea that Swansea pay considerably more than Barnsley.

 

We seem to have (on the face of it) a very close management team in Duff and Disco, friends of over 25 years. Let's hope that has some sway in Duff staying

 

£2m is the going rate for Barnsley managers

 

Very true, and that's how I see it too. The previous board failed past managers, undoubtedly. But this is a new board who I've no doubt want Duff to stay. As you say, we'll soon find out Duff's intentions and loyalty to the club. I believe he'll stay.

 

That's one of my fears, but Disco has put roots down here so don't think he would go

 

He's worked hard and got the fans on side. I doubt that Swansea fans would show as much patience unless he was a big name. Top 6 minimum by Xmas or they'll turn nasty.

 

8 pages and still counting about a rumour, Duff will be our head coach come the start of the season, and all this waffle will pale into insignificance

 

Personally don’t think he ll go , but like anyone else if he doesn’t want to be here we move on ,

 

Massive assumptions in there.
There is no evidence at all that he has been approached or even thought about.
It could also just be as simple as a Welsh reporter has looked at up and coming/potential managers and put Duff into the equation. It happens all the time in press.