LEON BRITTON has been put in charge at Swansea in a remarkable promotion – as the Welsh club fights relegation.
Long-serving player Britton, 35, was only made coach recently but has been given the caretaker post after Paul Clement was fired.
Britton has answered the call despite reservations about the chance coming too soon.
But Swans are counting on his popularity on and off the pitch helping.
Supreme Huw Jenkins had Britton in mind BEFORE Clement lost his last game on Monday as Sun Sport revealed.
However Jenkins has also been sounding out several other managers in the last few days as a decision was made to axe Clement.
But Britton could make the job his own in the way Garry Monk did when he took over from Michael Laudrup after his stormy spell ended.
Britton will be assisted by Under-23 coach Cameron Toshack whose team has been successful this season. He is also rated within the club and seen to have a long-term future.
Jenkins and the American owners will sift through names of candidates but hope Britton can pick up wins to boost them and also increase his own claims.
One candidate to take his name OUT of the hat is Ryan Giggs.
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The Manchester United legend, 44, is still reeling after being overlooked for Bob Bradley last October.
When asked whether he still wanted the job, said: “No. I spoke to them before they appointed Bob Bradley. So, no.”
Swansea are bottom of the Premier League table and four points adrift of safety.
They host fellow relegation-candidates Crystal Palace on Saturday.
Britton, speaking for the first time as caretaker boss, said it was a shame that Clement had left, but now needed to get the players’ confidence back.
He said: “It’s disappointing that Paul has left the club.
“This season, things haven’t worked out as well as we would have wanted. We thank him for what he did for the club last season – he came in at a difficult time and kept us up.
“I know the players well and their characteristics. I need to get confidence back, some clarity and make things clear to the players.
“You can see confidence is low and it is down to everyone to get the players back up and get a result.
“I have the respect of the players as a player and person, they’ve been as good as gold. Whatever I need the club have said they are behind me.
“We have a big battle on our hands. We have a big responsibility because we, as players, have not performed.”
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