By Graham Thomas
Luke Williams has told Swansea City fans there is more chance of him “drinking in Uplands with the Jack Army” at the end of the season than of him being the manager of West Bromwich Albion.
In a clear rebuttal of the suggestion he is in line to become Albion’s new boss – issued on the eve of a clash between the two clubs at the Swansea.com Stadium – the Swans head coach has pledged his future to his current club.
But Williams has also apologised to fans for not killing off the rumours at an earlier stage, given that he was odds-on favourite to succeed Carlos Corberan on Friday morning.
“There has been no contact at all,” said Williams ahead of the fixture between the Championship play-off rivals.
“I probably didn’t take it (the link with West Brom) as seriously as other people.
“I’m not on social media so I’m probably a bit slow on the uptake. But people were telling me that the bookies had stopped taking bets on me and all kinds of craziness.
“Someone then sent me a screenshot of somebody saying my agent was having a conversation, and I was having an interview.
“But there has been absolutely nothing in it at all. Don’t put a bet on it. Don’t waste your money. It’s better to go to the bookmakers and bet that I’ll be drinking in the Uplands with the Jack Army.”
Williams – who took over as Swans head coach a year ago – is contracted until 2027 and insists he intends to see out that deal.
But he was reported to be on an early shortlist of managers West Brom were interested in, within a couple of days of Corberan leaving to join Valencia.
That link was then jet-fuelled on social media by Williams’ own throwaway remark, after his club had beaten Luton Town on December 29, that West Brom could phone his agent.
The former Notts County chief then dealt with a query after his team’s 4-0 loss at Portsmouth by suggesting that any interest in him by West Brom would have ben ended by the heavy defeat.
A rueful Williams added: “I thought it was absurd. I’ve not only been here one year.
“I’m sorry if I didn’t take it seriously enough, but I thought it was quite funny. I’m glad it’s over and I want to make Swansea as good as they can possibly be.
“I was perhaps the last to know. I’m not on social media so I don’t have a big network. It’s all come as a bit of a shock.
“There’s been no contact whatsoever. So, I’m not sure how it’s got to the level it got to with the bookmakers deciding I was halfway down the road.
“I apologise to anyone who felt I was showing a lack of commitment. I think my blase approach was more that I just felt it was ridiculous that anyone would even suggest it.
“I have not even been here a full year. I would love to see out my contract as a bare minimum.”
Williams has revealed he was asked about the West Brom links by Swansea chairman Andy Coleman but says the questioning ended when he confirmed there had been no approach.
“As far as I’m concerned, I have only just started at this club. We are building something but it’s at a very early stage. I’m not going to walk out after the starter, when the main course still hasn’t arrived yet.
“It was hilarious for me to read I was having an interview, when I was clearly not, but it’s obvious to me I need to be much clearer with my information.
“I can have a joke about less serious matters, but things like this, I have learned that it can quickly get blown out of all proportion and I don’t want to fall into that trap again.”
Despite their hammering at Portsmouth, bookmakers DragonBet make the Swans narrow favourites to beat managerless West Brom on Saturday in a 12.30pm kick-off.
The Swans are 6/4 for the win, with West Brom at 9/5 and the draw priced at 23/10.
The Swans are currently six points behind the Baggies, who occupy the last play-off position in sixth spot.
Cardiff City are back in 23rd place – a point from safety – and will need to win at fifth-placed Middlesbrough if they are to pull themselves out of the relegation zone.
