Today marks six years since Swansea City appointed Francesco Guidolin as their permanent manager.
“I’m pleased to confirm that we have reached an agreement with Francesco on a new two-year contract,’’ then Swans chairman Huw Jenkins said. “Francesco fully deserves the chance to continue his good work into the new campaign. He was prepared to come into the club at such a difficult time and put himself in a pressure situation with the club fighting for survival.
“He has achieved the goal of securing top-flight football for this club with plenty to spare and has earned the right to start afresh next season. It’s going to be another challenge for everyone, but we are looking forward to seeing how far he can take this squad of players over a full season.
“We are confident that he can carry on the good work at the end of this season into the new campaign. There has obviously been a lot of speculation over recent weeks about a possible change of manager, but the board has been impressed with the way he has quietly gone about the job of improving performances and results since January.
“Francesco and his staff have also gained valuable experience of working with the current group of players and Premier League football. That should stand everyone in good stead as we prepare for the new season ahead. It’s a chance for him to prepare the players throughout pre-season and fully instil his way of working on the group after a hectic and crucial few months.”
A sliding doors moment if ever there was one.
Guidolin joined a relegation-threatened Swansea in January 2016 following the sacking of Garry Monk. The Italian moved to SA1 with a wealth of experience under his belt, having successfully led Udinese to third place in Serie A, which sealed the club's first Champions League campaign.
Despite the long-standing experience Guidolin had, former Swans captain Ashley Williams admitted at the time he had to Google who his new manager was.
“I know everything about him now, as I Googled him on Sunday night," Williams said after scoring in a 1-0 win over Watford in January 2016, when the Italian was initially brought in on a short-term deal.
"I’m sure everybody did the same thing as I did and the boys did, we know his background but it doesn’t really matter to us who comes in. We get told: ‘He’s your manager’. You listen to what he has to say, give your all and do as best as you possibly can. We have to help him settle in as quick as possible. The chairman has made that move which is fine with us. We just get on with it and we’re just happy we got the win for Curt (Alan Curtis) and the other guys.”
Over the course of the rest of the season, Guidolin managed to steer Swansea away from trouble, and despite suffering from bouts of ill-health, he led the club to victory in seven of their final 16 matches of the 2015/16 season. Guidolin was the heart of some excellent victories in the tail end of that campaign, even managing to beat the likes of Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal.
It convinced Jenkins to hand Guidolin a new two-year contract - despite the fact Brendan Rodgers was already waiting in the wings for a return to the Liberty Stadium. The Italian finished the season strongly, with wins over Liverpool, West Ham and a draw with Man City appearing to sway Jenkins' decision.
It would prove to be a case of what might have been. Rodgers would go on to manage Celtic that summer, while the Italian got down to work in SA1.
But Guidolin’s first full campaign with the Swans didn’t go to plan. He lasted just seven matches into the new term, claiming only four points from a possible 21 before he was axed from the job. He could count himself a tad unlucky, as in his first seven games they played reigning champions Leicester City, Manchester City, Chelsea and Liverpool. Even in those games, some of the performances were encouraging.
We all know what happened next. Former US national team manager Bob Bradley was appointed Guidolin's successor. Bradley was seen as a "long-term appointment", although it ended up as the polar opposite. Swansea were in a tailspin, one which they could not escape, with relegation eventually coming their way under Carlos Carvalhal in 2018.
Ever the gentleman, Guidolin, despite feeling he was unfairly dismissed, didn’t have any hard feelings towards Swansea despite his sacking. Speaking in 2019, he said: "The Swansea experience was gratifying. Working in the Premier League is the dream of all coaches.
"I have been looking for different clubs, but to get back to training I need a project that gives me enthusiasm. The final part of the career must be as I want: fair conditions and a special charm."
Since leaving Swansea Guidolin has not returned to management, instead working for broadcasters DAZN offering expert insight coaching.
