Groo

Francesco Guidolin enjoyed success at Udinese Press AssociationLast updated: 17 January 2016, 20:38 GMT Former Udinese boss Francesco Guidolin is set to be named Swansea's new head coach. The Italian, who will work alongside Alan Curtis at the Liberty Stadium, has an interesting CV. Here, Press Association Sport's James Cann looks at five things Swans fans should know about their new man. 1 He knows a thing or two about Swansea's next opponents When Guidolin called time on his four-season stint as Udinese boss in May 2014, he kept working with the club's owners, the Pozzo family. His brief was to supervise the three teams under the Pozzos' control - namely Udinese, Granada, and Watford. And when Slavisa Jokanovic left Vicarage Road in the summer, Guidolin was almost asked to step in before the position ultimately went to Quique Sanchez Flores. 2 He could have moved to England nine years ago "I would be pleased to have a professional adventure in England." In October 2007 an out-of-work Guidolin thanked QPR for their interest in him but turned down the chance to replace John Gregory. The Loftus Road job went instead to Luigi De Canio - with then-owner Flavio Briatore determined to bring some Italian flair to the Shepherd's Bush outfit, who were then struggling in the Championship. 3 He failed to win big in Monte Carlo Guidolin has coached outside of Italy only once before in his career. He signed a two-year deal with ambitious Monaco in 2005 but left the principality after a poor 10th-placed finish in his first season. The Venetian was soon back at Palermo, the club he had previously restored to Serie A after a 35-year absence. Under his stewardship, the Sicilians finished fifth in 2007 to reach the UEFA Cup. 4 He is a promotion expert This may be a bitter pill to swallow for Swans fans but it could well taste a lot sweeter in a year's time. Guidolin forged his career in Italy on masterminding a series of improbable promotions. His unfancied Vicenza side climbed out of Serie B to win the Coppa Italia and qualify for Europe in the late 1990s. He got the best out of Luca Toni as the striker hit 30 goals to fire Palermo into the top flight and when Parma suffered a shock relegation in 2008, Guidolin helped them bounce back immediately. 5 He turned Alexis Sanchez into the player he is today Guidolin cannot claim to have recruited Sanchez himself - the Chilean arrived at the Stadio Friuli two years before him, in 2008 - but he certainly got the best out of the man from Tocopilla. He is credited with transforming Sanchez from a winger into the creative forward who now provides such a formidable goalscoring threat for Arsenal. Sanchez was key to Udinese's fourth and third-placed finishes in Serie A, which brought about entry to the Champions League's qualifying rounds.

Eh, thought they said Curtis was in charge for the rest of the season? Swansea have gone from "the model" for a small club to a complete shambles Not a lot of Swansea fans would disagree with that

Aye, even if they didn't want him it was a huge risk selling him to us. Seems odd that they wouldn't splash out for a proper manager considering their position too. Surely they can't strapped for cash? As a Swansea fan I agree as I know what he can do when his head is right and he's on form. I can only imagine they wanted the money to spend on strengthening. Especially in attack where apparently Doumbia is the #1 target and even talk on loaning Bony back.

He played every game until the end of November, its a long time since he played a good game for us, the last couple of games he played he was a liability, shows what he can do when he wants to eh.

Tbf loads of our fans think Ben Arfa has no end product and also think Sissoko is s*** Don't get me wrong, I think he'll deliver for you this year and probably next, he is good no doubt. Its if he can keep his head straight.

Eh? We started the season well in August, then after the first International break we started going downhill badly in September (Shelvey played every game) it got worse in October (Shelvey played every game). the first game he was missing was end of November against Liverpool when he had a slight injury. November was a bad month, 3 games lost 2 drew 1, he played the first two. Monk's last game was the first in December against Leicester and Shelvey was still out. He missed the Man City game where we played well but lost and returned for the next game, West Ham as a sub as he was against West Brom. By now he was showing disinterest. He started against Palace after Christmas as was totally not bothered, even took a throw in and passed it to a Palace player!! he was subbed after an hour and dropped for Man Utd and recalled to show he could fight for his place against Oxford where his best move was pulling up his socks. With Shelvey starting: 15 points in 14 games Without Shelvey starting: 4 points in 7 games Obviously it was hardly rip roaring form when he starts but there you go. As our player he missed 6 games (he came on as late sub in 2), I think of the games you said he missed you included Sunderland which 1. was a farce that the ref handed to them and 2. he wasn't our player any more. Of the 15 points in 14 games, 8 came came in the first 4 games, when we started well. The next 9 games, in which he played every game we gained 7 points, 3 of which came in a win against Villa. So he played every game until the end of November when he missed Liverpool because of an injury. The next game after Liverpool was Leicester after which Monk was sacked. You should read the match threads on our forums and see how much the fans thought of his effort during this period. 3 games he missed through injury (although there was a rumour he stormed out of the ground in one game when he found he was a sub) , 2 games he came on as late sub after the injury, his first full game after his injury was against Palace in which he was woeful and subsequently dropped for the next game away to Man Utd, the last league game before he left.

Eh? you might have already done this groo, but what type of player is he? he looks like he can hit them from distance from what ive seen, any other attributes? Leighton James got it right with the one in 5 or 6 remark, passes and games. He has the ability, it's just if he feels like it. It showed after Monk left, his problems started when the chairman Jenkins said after he reluctantly sacked Monk that he blamed the players and mentioned Shelvey in particular for not putting the effort in, after that he completely turned off, made no attempt to play. I can see him playing with enthusiasm now until the end of the season, so I would expect you'll see the best of him. He can be a game winner. Once he's settled in and it may change, especially if he has a tiff with anyone at the club from groundsman to chairman.

Eh? We started the season well in August, then after the first International break we started going downhill badly in September (Shelvey played every game) it got worse in October (Shelvey played every game). the first game he was missing was end of November against Liverpool when he had a slight injury. November was a bad month, 3 games lost 2 drew 1, he played the first two. Monk's last game was the first in December against Leicester and Shelvey was still out. He missed the Man City game where we played well but lost and returned for the next game, West Ham as a sub as he was against West Brom. By now he was showing disinterest. He started against Palace after Christmas as was totally not bothered, even took a throw in and passed it to a Palace player!! he was subbed after an hour and dropped for Man Utd and recalled to show he could fight for his place against Oxford where his best move was pulling up his socks.

and would you believe he called it right against us

I hope this referee never refs another match. Their first goal - offside Our first goal - never a penalty Sending off (game changer) - no way in hell Their third goal - offside Never seen such incompetence

My best guess http://i.imgur.com/bgzjpbP.png I put that on our board and someone suggested that Curtis told him if he pulled his socks up this game there would be a transfer for him

Of course we are, he wanted out and ensured he played badly and made no attempt to win games. He had a couple of games to put himself in the shop window and did everything he could to lose us the games. What does that tell you about his attitude. Good riddance indeed.

Our fans are absoluetly gutted. Here's a few comments from our board http://www.fansnetwork.co.uk/football/swanseacity/forum/ "Currently having his medical, let's hope he passes!" "Fingers crossed. I hope they dont do a brain cell count. As long as you dont need double figure we'll be in with a shot." "I'm actually massively cheered by this news. Things need to change.Looks like they are." "Start the car...I'll drive him there for that 5 year contract according to the Daily Mail. Shelvey could yet help keep us up if we reinvest wisely." "Can I pay for your petrol?" We'll miss him honestly. I'm sure he'll be a big part in your staying up this year, after time he'll change though.

We have too many midfielders and need a striker, not sure the wisdom of selling a player to a relegation rival, even though he's playing like a blind old lady at the moment, you know he'll get back to his best form as soon as he moves, even if its only until he gets p*ssed off again. http://www.fansnetwork.co.uk/football/swanseacity/forum/162505/page:1#.VpQQyvkrJD8 our proper site not that Jack Army shite

Oh and I hope the managers of the other teams think like you guys, they will be in for a surprise I think

We need someone to score goals, hopefully we'll get someone in January. Regarding Curtis, he's well respected. We have improved since he took over and most of the players are playing their best for him. http://www.wsc.co.uk/wsc-daily/1205-january-2016/13025-alan-curtis-means-more-than-steady-hands-to-swansea I believe Bielsa wanted a contract for at least 18 months and if I read correctly, wanted to pay his own team from his money, therefore he was looking at something like 7 million a year, perhaps if we were in a good position or it was the summer then maybe Huw would have gone for it, but it would have been a financial risk with relegation a possibility. I believe Huw has decided to wait until summer after seeing the improvement on the field and Curtis has agreed to look after the ship until then, he apparently doesn't want the job full time.

Seeing your name linked to Shelvey in the press, please, please, please, come and get him... The most lack lustre, feckless, dont give a shit performance I have ever seen today, even threw to an opposing player in an attacking position from a throw in, doing his best to give the game away until he was rightfully dragged off. Please take him.

According to the Mail, Jenkins has gone to South America to talk to both Biesla and Sampaoli http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-3360890/Swansea-chief-Huw-Jenkins-hold-talks-Marcelo-Biesla-Jorge-Sampaoli-jetting-South-America.html?ITO=1490&ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490 Perhaps Chelsea could have sloppy seconds

Bielsa must be true as its in the Sun now http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/6804654/Marcelo-Bielsa-is-in-talks-to-become-the-next-Swansea-manager-as-Huw-Jenkins-looks-for-Garry-Monks-replacement.html

Marcelo Bielsa odds on now with most bookies, pity they never appear to be right. http://www.oddschecker.com/football/football-specials/swansea/next-swansea-manager

Completely different Swans this game, played really well and after many consecutive games with zero or 1 shot on target today have 11, there's hope we'll start picking up points of we carry on like this

yessssssss 1-1

Disallowed goal for Swansea So what if the keeper was taken out lol

Missed first half but although we're losing 0-1 (I can hear the hurrah's) we're apparently playing very well. Fernandez back in and Ayew up front. Shelvey apparently has a calf strain so out (a few rumours surfacing of problems between him and the other players, hopefully bollocks)

Did OK until first international break, then Lost - Watford (A) 0-1 Drew - Everton (H) 0-0, lucky to not lose Lost - Hull (A) Cup 0-1 Lost - Southampton (A) 1-3 Drew - Spurs (H) 2-2 Lost - Stoke (H) 0-1 Won - Villa (A) 2-1 Lost - Arsenal (H) 0-3 Lost - Norwich (A) 0-1 Drew - Bournemouth (H) 2-2 Lost - Liverpool (A) 0-1 Lost - Leicester (H) 0-3 The games have been getting worse to watch as well, with hardly any shots on goal (from us). We are now a week or two from slipping into a relegation spot.