Don´t judge Bradley on his accent, say Swansea owners

Swansea City’s American owners have pleaded with the club’s fans to judge new boss Bob Bradley “on the job he does, not on his passport or his accent”.

Former United States coach Bradley was appointed on Monday after Swansea elected to terminate the contract of Francesco Guidolin following a difficult start to the season.

The sacking of Guidolin left a bitter taste for many Swansea fans who believed the Liberty Stadium outfit were beginning to show signs of improvement under the Italian, while the Supporters Trust – which owns a 21.1 per cent stake in the club – revealed the decision had been taken without its consultation.

Reports that prospective replacements had been interviewed during Guidolin’s tenure also rankled – reports firmed up by co-owner Jason Levien on Wednesday.

But Levien, who along with Steve Kaplan leads a consortium that acquired a 68 per cent share in the club earlier this year, focused his plea on the perceived Americanisation of Swansea, asking supporters to give Bradley a chance.

“The reason we appointed Bob is not because he’s American but because we believe he is the best man for the job,” he told talkSPORT.

“Neither Steve nor I had met Bob before we interviewed him last Friday but we did know him by reputation – and he lived up to that high reputation.

“He is a top class leader, tactically very smart and has the strength of character we believe will make an immediate impact in the dressing room and on the training ground.

“Anybody who knows Bob knows he would only take a job if believed he was getting it on merit, not because we simply wanted another American at the club.

“We want fans to give him a chance and get behind him. Judge him on the job he does, not on his passport or his accent.”

Bradley – the first American to manage in the Premier League – will lead Swansea for the first time at Arsenal on October 15.