Bob Bradley says Swansea squad he inherited lacked fighters
Wednesday 4 January 2017 09:51, UK
Bob Bradley believes the Swansea squad he inherited lacked a winning mentality due to a failure to adequately replace key players.
The former United States coach was sacked by American owners Jason Levien and Steve Kaplan last week - just 85 days after succeeding Francesco Guidolin as manager.
Bradley was in charge for 11 games, during which Swansea conceded 29 goals, lost seven matches and claimed just eight points.
But the 58-year-old - who fielded six different back-four combinations - believes the squad he inherited was deeply flawed and lacking in leadership.
Swansea let captain Ashley Williams leave for Everton in the summer, while last season's top scorer Andre Ayew departed for West Ham.
Bradley believes the blunt manner in which he appraised the quality of the squad to the club's hierarchy ultimately counted against him.
"Part of what I said (to the board) was that we needed more winners, more fighters, more guys that come in every day desperate to improve," Bradley said, in an interview with The Times.
"I think in the last 18 months or so, as different players have left, the club hasn't been able to replace some players with others at the same level.
"When a team goes through a tough period, you need people you can count on, people who are strong, people who will stand up for the team. It takes that kind of strength to get back on track.
"I was very direct in those conversations and at some level I think that came back to hurt me."
Paul Clement will take over from Bradley, with the former Derby boss and Bayern Munich assistant in the stands at Selhurst Park on Tuesday to watch his new side climb off the bottom of the table with a 2-1 victory over relegation rivals Crystal Palace.
Bradley wishes Clement the best but had a stark warning for his successor.
"There is a real trust issue between the supporters and the people involved in the change of ownership," Bradley said. "That has to improve.
"The other aspect is the team. When you take over a team and you're in that part of the table - just like when I took over from Francesco (Guidolin) - it's for a reason.
"The reason is that the team needs to be improved."
