Portsmouth relegation rivals sack boss - takes number of Championship managerial dismissals to 4

Pompey rivals Swansea City have parted company with head coach Alan Sheehan.

The Championship strugglers sacked the Irishman on Tuesday with the Swans sitting 18th in the table after 15 games.

The decision follows the Liberty Stadium side’s 4-1 home defeat at the hands of Ipswich on Saturday, their sixth league loss of the season and their second on the trot, leaving the Welsh side just seven points above the relegation zone.

A statement from the club read: ‘In the wake of a disappointing run, it is felt results and performances do not meet the standards expected at this stage of the season, and we have had to take this difficult decision.

‘The process to appoint a new head coach is already under way. We will update supporters on this process once it has been concluded.’

Sheehan, who replaced Luke Williams as boss in April, had two previous stints in charge of the Swans as interim boss. Owners Brett Cravatt and Jason Cohen thanked him for his dedication to the club.

A joint-statement from them said: ‘Alan has been instrumental in helping improve the club through two periods of time. Alan has a tireless work ethic, an honest approach and a positive attitude. He has put his full effort into the job on behalf of the club.

‘The club would like to place on record its thanks to Alan for all of his hard work during his time at Swansea City. We wish Alan and his family all the best for the future.’

Championship managerial sackings 2025-26

Sheehan is the fourth head coach/manager at Championship level to lose his job this season. Fellow strugglers Sheffield United, Southampton and Norwich have also made that decision since the season began in August, with Liam Manning sacked from his job at the Canaries at the weekend following a home defeat against Leicester.

Of the current bottom five sides in the division, only Sheffield Wednesday, Oxford and Pompey have kept faith with the managerial structures that were in place at the beginning of the campaign. However, the Blues’ John Mousinho has come under pressure in recent weeks following a run of results that has seen the Fratton Park side win just one of their past 11 games.

Social media call for his dismissal have been called ‘ridiculous’, though, despite Pompey sitting 20th in the table and four points above the drop zone.

Swansea’s first game after the internaitional break is away to Bristol City on November 22. Pompey travel to the Liberty Stadium on Tuesday, December 9.

For your next Pompey read: What Portsmouth’s strongest starting XI and bench could look like when every injured player returns