BOB BRADLEY is expected to make an immediate impact and lasting impression after being appointed as Swansea manager.
The 58-year-old American was appointed as replacement for Francesco Guidolin on Monday, whose 10-month tenure ended on his 61st birthday. Former United States boss Bradley starts at the Liberty Stadium on a contract until the end of the 2018-19 season after his final fixture with current employers Le Havre, who played Sochaux in Ligue 2 on Monday evening.
An American consortium led by Stephen Kaplan and Jason Levien took over the Welsh club in July, inheriting Guidolin as manager. But the Italian has been replaced after a six-match winless run. Bradley's first match in charge will be the Premier League clash away to Arsenal on October 15, following the international break.
Bradley's leadership qualities impressed Swansea chairman Huw Jenkins in an initial meeting at Bristol Airport and a subsequent meeting with Kaplan and Levien left the Swansea hierarchy in no doubt they had the right man. Bradley, who is the first American to manage in the Premier League, was chosen ahead of former Manchester United assistant-boss Ryan Giggs, former Real Madrid number two Paul Clement and Marcelino, the ex-Villarreal boss.
Bradley becomes Swansea's fourth boss in the space of a year - Garry Monk was sacked in December 2015 and temporarily replaced by Alan Curtis before Guidolin's appointment - but Swansea now want stability. Jenkins said: "It is never easy changing managers, but we are looking at a long-term appointment and we are confident Bob can settle us down and stabilise matters, on and off the pitch.
"We are obviously disappointed to part company with Francesco. We felt he deserved his opportunity after the work he did last season. Unfortunately, we have not been able to carry performances over from last season and we felt we needed to change things as soon as possible in order to move forward in a positive way. We would like to thank Francesco and his staff for their services to the club and wish them well for the future."
Jenkins also spoke of Bradley's pedigree. He led the USA into the World Cup knockout stages at the 2010 tournament in South Africa, finishing ahead of England in the group, while it is understood his leadership of Egypt through a time of political upheaval and footballing tragedy impressed Swansea chiefs.
Bradley opted to remain in Cairo throughout the revolution of November 2011 and the Port Said stadium riot, when 74 people were killed and league football was subsequently suspended. He left the role after being unsuccessful in his bid to take Egypt to the World Cup for the first time since 1990, losing in a play-off for the 2014 tournament to Ghana.
He had a short spell at Norway's Stabaek before joining Le Havre in November 2015: "We are delighted Bob has agreed to join us," Jenkins added.
"He is highly regarded as a coach and has a wealth of experience on the international and domestic front. He is well aware of the club's footballing philosophy and will provide us with strong leadership qualities and a renewed belief to compete at this level."
Former Udinese boss Guidolin joined Swansea in January as head coach and was given a two-year contract in May. Swansea's only wins this season were at Burnley on the opening day of the Premier League season and against Peterborough in the EFL Cup. Swansea lost in the next round to Manchester City, while the only Premier League point in five games was a 2-2 draw with Chelsea. Manchester City and Liverpool have beaten the Swans in successive weeks.
Swansea also announced that three members of Guidolin's backroom team - Diego Bortoluzzi, Gabriele Ambrosetti and Claudio Bordon - had been released.
Five things you may not know about Swansea City's new boss:
FIRST NORTH AMERICAN TO MANAGE IN PREMIER LEAGE
English clubs may be used to having American ownership, but it will be the first time someone from the United States will be at the helm of a Premier League club. Swansea's majority shareholders Stephen Kaplan & Jason Levien may have been the influence to bring Bradley across the Atlantic as they became the sixth American group to be involved in owning a top-flight team.
STARTED MANAGERIAL CAREER AT 22
Bradley's route to becoming a top-flight manager was different to the norm in England after his playing career came to an end at the age of 22. After graduating from the University of Princeton in 1980, he took control of the Ohio University team for two years, before current LA Galaxy manager Bruce Arena lured him to the University of Virginia as assistant-manager.
He returned to Princeton as head coach in 1984 and was at the helm for 11 years with relative success, before embarking on a professional career in management.
SON HAS ALREADY BEEN IN ENGLISH FOOTBALL
The new Swansea manager's son Michael has had a successful playing career, where he is currently Toronto FC and United States captain. The midfielder had a six-month loan spell at Aston Villa during the 2010-2011 season, when he joined from German side Borussia Monchengladbach, but he failed to make the move permanent after making only four appearances in all competitions for the former Premier League club.
EXPERIENCE OF MANAGING AROUND WORLD
Following a start in management in collegiate football, Bradley worked for several clubs in the MLS between 1996 and 2006, before landing the United States national team job, leading them to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. Despite reaching the CONCACAF Gold Cup final in 2011, the 58-year-old was sacked and he became Egypt manager shortly after, but failed to reach the 2014 World Cup and lost his job as a result.
He moved to Norway with Stabaek, who he helped qualify for the Europa League, before moving to France with Ligue 2 side Le Havre in November 2015, which he left to join the Swans.
SPORTING FAMILY
Bradley comes from a family known for being involved in the professional sporting environment. Brother Scott was a professional Major League Baseball player in a career spanning eight years, most noticeably playing for Seattle Mariners between 1986 and 1992.
Another brother, Jeff, is a sports journalist, who has worked for ESPN as well as the New York Daily Post.
