SWANSEA have confirmed the appointment of Francesco Guidolin as their new manager.
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| Francesco Guidolin has taken charge at Swansea until the end of the season |
The Swans have made the surprise move to appoint the 60-year-old despite recently saying interim boss Alan Curtis would take charge until the end of the season.
But Guidolin has now taken the top job at the Liberty Stadium, although "both parties have agreed to review the position at the end of the season with the option of extending the contract".
The former Udinese boss is expected to be in the stands for Swansea's clash with Watford tonight (8pm).
Guidolin will work alongside Curtis until the end of the season, but Swansea say the Italian will have the final say on team selection.
"We are very pleased with the appointment," Swans chairman Huw Jenkins said. "His experience and knowledge will be a huge asset to the club.
"Although we recently appointed Alan Curtis as manager until the end of the campaign, he was aware and comfortable with the fact that we were still looking to bring someone in to assist if we found the right person.
"We believe we have found that person in Francesco. He has an excellent record, especially with Udinese over the last few years. He created an Udinese side from a relatively small budget - compared to the rest of the league - that competed with the big teams in Serie A.
"He instilled a belief and motivation to compete and beat the best Italy had to offer. It is similar to what this football club is trying to do in the Premier League.
"He also has a wealth of knowledge of players throughout Europe which will be a big boost on our recruitment side; something we have been reviewing in a lot more depth over the last few months.
"When the need arose to look for a new manager or head coach, those characteristics stood out from a number of other potential candidates, together with the enthusiasm he has shown to come in and help us turn our season around and retain our Premier League status."
Guidolin managed Udinese between 2010 and 2014, leading the Serie A club to their highest top-flight finish and points tally when they came third in and qualified for the Champions League.
But Guidolin has now taken the top job at the Liberty Stadium, although "both parties have agreed to review the position at the end of the season with the option of extending the contract".
The former Udinese boss is expected to be in the stands for Swansea's clash with Watford tonight (8pm).
Guidolin will work alongside Curtis until the end of the season, but Swansea say the Italian will have the final say on team selection.
"We are very pleased with the appointment," Swans chairman Huw Jenkins said. "His experience and knowledge will be a huge asset to the club.
"Although we recently appointed Alan Curtis as manager until the end of the campaign, he was aware and comfortable with the fact that we were still looking to bring someone in to assist if we found the right person.
"We believe we have found that person in Francesco. He has an excellent record, especially with Udinese over the last few years. He created an Udinese side from a relatively small budget - compared to the rest of the league - that competed with the big teams in Serie A.
"He instilled a belief and motivation to compete and beat the best Italy had to offer. It is similar to what this football club is trying to do in the Premier League.
"He also has a wealth of knowledge of players throughout Europe which will be a big boost on our recruitment side; something we have been reviewing in a lot more depth over the last few months.
"When the need arose to look for a new manager or head coach, those characteristics stood out from a number of other potential candidates, together with the enthusiasm he has shown to come in and help us turn our season around and retain our Premier League status."
Guidolin managed Udinese between 2010 and 2014, leading the Serie A club to their highest top-flight finish and points tally when they came third in and qualified for the Champions League.
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