Thank you Francesco Guidolin
So, as we all know, Francesco Guidolin was awakened on Monday morning to the news that he’d been sacked as Swansea City manager.
We can argue all we want about if the Italian manager deserved more time, or if it was the right decision etc. The point I want to get across though – despite many lows so far this season – is that I’m hugely grateful for what he has done for the club.
Guidolin came into a squad that lacked motivation and didn’t look up for the fight of a relegation battle – which the Swans were fully ingrossed in when he was appointed in mid-January.
The 61-year-old got the side winning again and changed their mentaility starting with a first ever win for the Swans at Goodison Park against Everton.
From then on, Swansea kicked on and progressed up the table, eventually finishing in a very respectable 12th place, considering the horrid start to the 2015/16 season under Garry Monk.
Under Guidolin, we saw some memorable victories such as the 1-0 win over Chelsea, 3-1 versus Liverpool as well as the 4-1 demolition in West Ham’s penultimate game at Upton Park.
Of course, the start of this campaign has been hugely underwhelming, with Swansea lurking in 17th place.
And because of that, maybe Guidolin wasn’t the long-term answer to take the club forward and fulfil its potential. But he came in, kept us up last season against the odds and done his best without the foundations to create his own team in his own visions (relating to him not being able to sign the players he wanted to).
For that, I will always respect the man, as well as his coaching staff, Gabriele Ambrosetti and Claudio Bordon. The Italians have been humble and classy during this whole saga, unlike the board, who have lost a lot of respect from the fans.
Thank you Guidolin, and best wishes for the future. YJB!