Swansea set to rest survival hopes on former Udinese manager Francesco Guidolin

Swansea City expect to appoint Francesco Guidolin as head coach on Tuesday.

 

Francesco Guidolin has managed the likes of Parma, Monaco and Udinese in the past

 

The former Udinese manager is in talks with Swans chairman Huw Jenkins over a short-term deal until the end of the season after answering an SOS call.

Guidolin will be at the Liberty Stadium tonight to watch Swansea's crunch game against Watford.

The experienced 60-year-old Italian will work alongside Alan Curtis who is expected to remain as caretaker manager until the end of the season.

A Swansea City spokesman said: "Talks are on-going right now but we hope to have things finalised in the early part of the week for him [Guidolin] to take his position before next weekend's game.

"Alan is still caretaker manager but will work closely with Francesco until the end of the season."

 

Swansea will have one of the oldest management teams in the Premier League with former Wales striker Curtis also in his sixties.

Guidolin has previously managed several clubs in Italy, including Palermo and Parma, as well as French side Monaco. But he faces a major task to resurrect Swansea's starling decline.

Swansea claimed their best finish in the Premier League last season when they came eighth under Garry Monk.

But Monk was sacked in early December and they have yet to find a long-term successor after failing with their initial targets.

 

Swansea crashed out of the FA Cup at League Two side Oxford.

And the need for stability has only heightened after they slipped into the relegation zone on Saturday for the first time this season following Newcastle United's 2-1 win over West Ham.

Jonjo Shelvey had a hand in both Newcastle goals just days after he was sold by Swansea for £12million.

Swansea also missed out on transfer target Charlie Austin at the weekend when the QPR striker instead signed for rivals Bournemouth.

 

Curtis said: "We've worked hard to get into the Premier League. It's important we stay here not just for next season but for seasons to come as well.

"There was a bit of anger within the squad after the [4-2 home loss to Sunderland last Wednesday.

"They felt a couple of decisions went against us and I would hope they would want to right the wrongs,

"They are a strong group and you look to the leaders of the group like Ashley Williams. Leon Britton and Neil Taylor. They're the type of people who will come forward for us."