Swansea sack Guidolin, hire Bradley as new manager

Swansea hired former United States coach Bob Bradley as their new manager on Monday after the struggling Premier League club sacked Francesco Guidolin on his birthday.

Guidolin’s 61st birthday quickly turned sour as the Italian learnt he was being forced out after Saturday’s 2-1 defeat against Liverpool left Swansea just above the relegation zone with only one win from their seven league matches this season.

“We can confirm the club has parted company with Francesco Guidolin, who will be replaced by Bob Bradley,” a statement on Swansea’s official Twitter account read.

Guidolin saved Swansea from relegation after joining the south Wales club in January and was given a two-year contract at the end of last season.

But an American consortium led by Stephen Kaplan and Jason Levien inherited Guidolin when they took over in July and reports began to emerge that his job could be in danger as soon as Swansea began to struggle.

After beating Burnley on the opening day of the season, Swansea went on a six-match winless run in the Premier League, including three consecutive defeats.

That was enough to convince the Americans to ditch former Udinese boss Guidolin and turn to their compatriot Bradley.

Former Manchester United star Ryan Giggs, who left his role as assistant at Old Trafford following Jose Mourinho’s pre-season arrival, had been linked with the Swansea job.

But Bradley has left French second-tier side Le Havre to move to the Liberty Stadium.

The 58-year-old led the US to the 2010 World Cup, where his team earned a 1-1 draw with England in the group stages before losing to Ghana in the last 16.

He was dismissed in 2011 after the US lost the CONCACAF Gold Cup final against Mexico and subsequently had a two-year spell as Egypt coach which ended when they failed to qualify for the 2014 World Cup.

Bradley, whose first match will be at Arsenal on October 15, faces a tough task to keep Swansea from dropping into the Championship.

Swansea are above the relegation zone only on goal difference.