Williams eyes long-term Swans stay after WBA links

Luke Williams says he hopes to stay at Swansea City for the long term after insisting he was never in the frame to take over at West Bromwich Albion.

Williams has apologised to any fans who he felt he showed "a lack of commitment" to Swansea by failing to rule out a move to managerless West Brom.

The Swansea head coach has faced criticism over comments he made about the Albion links after Swansea's win over Luton last weekend and Wednesday's thrashing at Portsmouth.

Williams says his light-hearted responses to media questions were because there was "absolutely nothing in" rumours about a move to West Brom.

"As I said to you after the Luton game, I thought it was just a wind-up. I have heard nothing. There's been no contact at all and probably I didn't take it as seriously as other people," Williams said.

"I am not on social media so I am bit slow sometimes to pick things up. But then people are telling me they have stopped taking bets and this kind of craziness, then someone sent me a screenshot of someone saying my agent was having conversations and I was having an interview.

"Don't waste your money, don't put a bet on. It's better to go the bookmakers and bet that I'll be in Uplands (an area of Swansea) drinking with the Jack Army (Swansea's fans)."

When he was first asked about the speculation last Sunday, Williams played down the idea that he could leave for West Brom but added that the Midlands club could "phone his agent".

He again declined to rule out the idea of leaving for The Hawthorns following the Portsmouth loss.

Speaking before Swansea return to action on Saturday – against West Brom, coincidentally – Williams said he could "totally understand" fans' frustration over his comments.

"I'm very, very happy to be here and I couldn't think of anything worse than walking away from this place," he added.

"So I apologise to anyone that felt I was showing a lack of commitment. I think my blasé approach was more that I just felt it was ridiculous that anyone would even suggest it.

"I have not even been here one year. We have just secured Ben Cabango [on a long-term contract], Liam Cullen is playing out of his skin and is in the national team, Joe Allen came out of retirement and is in the national team. I think we have the most perfect fit as a captain for any football club.

"I am glad that it (the West Brom link) is over and now we can try to make Swansea the best it can possibly be. That's what I came here to do."

Williams will celebrate a year in charge of Swansea on Sunday.

His side go into the weekend in 12th in the Championship, six points outside the play-off places, having made clear progress since Williams took over midway through the traumatic 2023-24 campaign.

Williams' Swansea deal runs until 2027 and the former Notts County boss says he would "love to see the contract out as a bare minimum".

"I feel like I'm just about getting started," he added.

"I'm not going to walk out after the starter. The main course is coming.

"I have still got a lot to prove to the Swansea fans and I am going to set about doing that."