Sources exclusively revealed to EFL Hub that Swindon Town are close to making a decision on the future of head coach Mark Kennedy.
Kennedy took over at the County Ground in the summer but has had a torrid time, watching his side plummet towards the lower reaches of League Two. They’re currently 22nd in the table, with just two league wins all season.
The former Lincoln City manager has come under increasing pressure from his fanbase, but so far, owner Clem Morfuni has remained tight-lipped on Kennedy’s future. However, after losing 2-1 at struggling Salford on Tuesday night, it is believed Kennedy’s future is now in the balance.
Our sources have suggested a decision could be made in the next 48 hours, meaning an empty dugout for the visit of Gillingham this weekend. If it doesn’t happen before, anything other than a win against the Gills, who have lost five in a row themselves, will see Kennedy fired.
It has been almost a year since Kennedy was relieved of his duties by Lincoln City, despite them being midtable in the division. On that occasion, the reason for his dismissal was cited as being reasons other than on-field performance, but if Swindon pulled the trigger, the reason is very much results.
🎙️ #STFC Head Coach, Mark Kennedy on defeat to Salford:
— Swindon Town Football Club (@Official_STFC) October 22, 2024
However, some supporters have grown increasingly frustrated by recent post-match interviews, which have become rather bizarre. In recent weeks, he’s talked about daughters he doesn’t have and Navy Seal snipers, as well as often praising his side in the wake of defeats.
This week, Kennedy emerged as a surprise candidate for the vacant Burton Albion job, although he was behind Gary Rowett in the bookies’ odds. If he is dismissed, he will become only the second League Two manager to lose his job, after Carlisle United, 23rd in the table. They sacked Paul Simpson and later appointed Mike Williamson of MK Dons, the only other change to happen this season.
He would become the seventh boss to lose his job before Halloween, with three in the Championship (Lowe, Schumacher, Bulut) and two in League One (Critchley, Robinson).
— jetight (@jettight19) October 22, 2024
No Surprise
This really isn’t a surprise. Swindon were targeting the top six, and Kennedy seemed an ambitious appointment. He took Lincoln City to 11th in League One, arguably above their position in the budget table, and took them on cup runs that saw them run West Ham to a narrow 1-0 win, as well as going down to Southampton in the League Cup fourth round the season before.
However, it just hasn’t worked out for the former Liverpool player. Swindon is a tough gig right now, with unpopular ownership often at loggerheads with supporters. They’re traditionally a club that operates outside the basement division, and yet at present, they look like they’re on a collision course with the National League.
Something has to give and, if our sources are correct, that could be the head coach role.
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