Francesco Guidolin Fired, Bob Bradley Named New Swansea City Manager

Swansea City parted company with manager Francesco Guidolin on Monday, simultaneously announcing Le Havre boss Bob Bradley as his replacement.

News of the Italian coach’s departure and Bradley's appointment came via Swansea's Twitter feed:

A club statement read:

"

Swansea City can confirm that the club has parted company with manager Francesco Guidolin. 

He will be replaced by former USA national team manager Bob Bradley with the club having agreed his release from French club Le Havre after their fixture with Sochaux tonight. 

Three members of Guidolin’s backroom team—Diego Bortoluzzi, Gabrielle Ambrosetti, Claudio Bordon—have also been released. 

"

Guidolin's final match in charge was Saturday's 2-1 home defeat to Liverpool, the Swans' fourth loss on the bounce.

He departed the Liberty Stadium with Swansea lying 17th in the Premier League table, tied on four points with West Ham United in 18th after seven matches of the new campaign.

Bradley will be tasked with turning Swansea's form around and guiding them away from the drop zone.

His first match in charge will be against Arsenal in the Premier League on Oct. 15, following the international break.

Per NBC Sports' Joe Prince-Wright, the 58-year-old has broken new ground for American managers in Europe:

As well as overseeing the USMNT between 2006 and 2011, Bradley also previously managed the Egyptian national team and Norwegian Tippeligaen side Stabaek.

Former Norway international Jan Aage Fjortoft believes he is a good fit for Swansea:

Meanwhile, football writer James Montague insisted Bradley has earned his chance to manage in the Premier League:

Per Match of the Day's Gary Lineker, it is a risky appointment from Swansea given Bradley's lack of experience in Europe's top leagues:

Guidolin took the top job at the Liberty Stadium in January 2016, replacing Garry Monk with Swansea struggling in the Premier League. The 60-year-old was able to win his first game in charge, a 2-1 triumph over Everton, before steering the team clear of a relegation battle.

Although Guidolin signed a new two-year contract at the end of the 2015-16 season, the summer was a testing one for Swansea.

Not only did they lose their top goalscorer Andre Ayew to West Ham United, but the departure of longstanding club captain Ashley Williams left a huge void in terms of leadership and defensive aptitude.

Despite winning at Burnley on the opening day of the new Premier League campaign, Swansea have subsequently struggled under Guidolin’s watch.

Stuart James of the Guardian doesn’t feel as though he should have been given the job to begin with:

As noted by John Cross of the Daily Mirror, before his departure, the manager had public run-ins with players Neil Taylor and Ki Sung-Yueng, with the duo noticeably miffed after being substituted in games.

For Guidolin, English football never looked to be the right kind of fit. His experience and intelligence were enough to keep Swansea afloat in 2015-16, although the club’s hierarchy has decided another change is vital if the club is to preserve its top-flight status for another year.