I'd love to see Cooper back at Swansea
And ex-Swans fans' favourite Robinson says he would like to see former boss Steve Cooper back in the role, though admits that is "very ambitious".
Williams left with Swansea 17th in the second tier following a seventh defeat in nine matches at Stoke City on Saturday.
"It had to happen," said Robinson who watched the game at the bet365 Stadium for BBC Radio Wales.
"Unfortunately in football the buck will always stop with the manager. He selects the team, he brings the players in and as I said on Saturday if there was ever a game of football Luke Williams was going to win in this bad run of form it was that game.
"Unfortunately he never got the win and to lose 3-1 I think the writing was on the wall."
While Williams has paid the price for an alarming slump in form which has seen Swansea slip towards the bottom three with 13 league fixtures remaining, chairman Coleman and the club's board are also under fire for a series of disappointing appointments and poor recruitment.
"They need to make sure now that the new boss coming in is the right one because it's been drastic at the football club now for two or three years and making small steps and not really getting anywhere," added Robinson.
"I think the biggest thing about the structure and the make-up of the football club is a trust element, and the trust element from the board, who've certainly played their part in all of this.
"From the manager to the chairman and from the chairman to the manager and the players and when you lose that at any football club it's a difficult one to get back.
"You thought Luke Williams was going to be the man but he [Coleman] has just got to get it right now. For the football club to move forward [it] has got to be done correctly."
Assistant head coach Alan Sheehan has been named caretaker boss for a second time "on an interim basis", with Swansea saying the search for a permanent successor to Williams is "already under way".
Cooper, 43, left the Championship club in 2021 after leading Swansea to the play-offs in each of his two seasons in charge.
He then took Nottingham Forest to the Premier League via the play-offs and kept them in the top flight for one season before losing his job at the City Ground. He has been out of work since a 12-game spell in charge of Premier League Leicester City at the start of this season.
"There's a man there who did an absolute worldy of a job at the football club, Steve Cooper," said Robinson.
"Whether he'd drop down a level, I'd love to see him back at the football club but that's very ambitious."
Another former Swansea player, ex-Wales midfielder Owain Tudur Jones, has sympathy for Williams and believes Coleman and the club's owners are as culpable for recent failings.
"I don't think he [Williams] had to go," Jones told BBC Radio Cymru's Dros Frecwast programme.
"I think the pressure was mounting, yes, but it's as simple as this: if you lose games, then the pressure is on you as head coach, in any club within football.
"I think the problems run deeper. If we go back to January, only a few weeks ago, the chairman Andy Coleman came out and said, "Luke Williams is the perfect manager for this football club".
"So much has changed in the time since... yes, down to the run, but the problems run deeper because, if we assess Swansea since they were relegated from the Premier League, Graham Potter stayed a season then moved on to a better job for him in the Premier League, Steve Cooper left under a cloud after a couple of years, Russell Martin left the club under a cloud.
"We're talking about good managers here. But none of them have stayed for too long because of problems behind the scenes."
Asked what needs to change, Jones said: "Naturally, new owners often want to put their own stamp on things, which often means a change in management.
"But we haven't seen anything yet since the new owners have come in . That's what January was for to all purposes, to see how much money there was to invest, and nothing. So, the problems run deeper, and I hope now we can get the right person in."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New York Times
4 minutes ago
- New York Times
Luis Diaz heads for Anfield exit: What it means for his legacy and Liverpool's transfer plans
When Luis Diaz's then girlfriend Gera Ponce posted a tribute to Liverpool supporters on social media at the end of last season, it felt like a goodbye. The words were accompanied by photographs and videos of them celebrating in front of the Kop with their young daughters Roma and Charlotte following the Premier League trophy lift in May. Diaz had the Colombian flag wrapped around his waist as his song boomed around Anfield. Advertisement 'From the first day we arrived, we felt first hand what it means to be a part of this club,' she wrote. 'What you have made my boyfriend and our entire family feel is something we carry in our souls. Thank-you for so much love, for so much dedication and for making us feel at home. This is a real bond, deep and strong, that reaffirms that we'll never walk alone.' Two months on, that farewell has been confirmed with Diaz set to complete a €75 million (£65.6m; $88.1m) move to Bayern Munich. It brings the curtain down on a three-and-a-half-year Anfield career which yielded 41 goals in 148 appearances. His impact was instant following his arrival from Porto in January 2022. With his ability to bamboozle defenders, he created a goal for Takumi Minamino just 10 minutes into his debut against Cardiff City. Jurgen Klopp said he had never met a player who smiled so much in training. With Sadio Mane moved into the centre to accommodate Diaz on the left, he quickly became a fans' favourite. They loved his direct approach with the ball at his feet and his tenacity out of possession. Diaz, who was affectionately known as Lucho by team-mates and staff, started all three finals in 2021-22 as Liverpool won a domestic cup double but suffered an agonising defeat to Real Madrid in the Champions League showpiece in Paris and finished a point behind Manchester City in the Premier League. He was hampered by a knee injury the following season but in 2023-24 he was massively influential as Klopp's side lifted the League Cup again before their title challenge faded. There was the relief of his father Luis Manuel Diaz being released after being held hostage for 12 days by the National Liberation Army in Colombia. On the field, one complaint was that for all the dazzling approach play, there was a lack of end product at times. Arne Slot set about improving that last summer by getting Diaz on the ball in more central areas. Advertisement There was a first hat-trick of his professional career against Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League last November when he was employed in a false nine role. It was a tactic Slot persisted with when they lined up without Darwin Nunez or Diogo Jota. Diaz scored twice in the 6-3 demolition of Tottenham having done likewise against Manchester United at Old Trafford earlier in the season. He also cancelled out Tottenham's early opener at Anfield on the day the title was won in April. His overall return of 17 goals in all competitions was the best of his Liverpool career and only Mohamed Salah scored more than his 13 league goals for the club in 2024-25. On the face of it, agreeing to sanction the exit of such a popular figure who is at his peak is questionable, but when you dig deeper, it makes more sense. For a start, Diaz was determined to leave having twice turned down attempts by Liverpool to get him to sign a new contract. There was just too big a gap between what he wanted and what the club was willing to offer. He had initially signalled his desire to pursue a new challenge 12 months ago when he had Barcelona pursuing him, but Liverpool made it clear then that he wasn't for sale. That stance remained in place at the start of this summer, but with Diaz still unwilling to sign an extension and Bayern prepared to increase their initial offer of €67.5m, the ground started to shift. Liverpool reluctantly did business, knowing that if they kept hold of him for another season then next summer his value would have been considerably lower with him down to the final 12 months of his contract. Ultimately, sporting director Richard Hughes ensured they pocketed €75m for a 28-year-old who cost them €49m from Porto and gave them great service for three and a half years. The parting of the ways has been respectful with Diaz not missing a training session during the tour of Asia before being granted permission to fly to Munich to complete the formalities. In terms of filling the void, Liverpool believe they have sufficient left-sided cover already in place. Cody Gakpo, who scored 18 goals last season, is expected to kick on and play an even bigger part. New signing Hugo Ekitike can operate off that flank as well as through the middle, while the emergence of teenager Rio Nguhoma is another factor. It would be wrong to expect too much from Nguhoma given he doesn't even turn 17 for another month, but he's a massive talent. He has lit up pre-season so far and you don't want to block his pathway. Advertisement Diaz is highly unlikely to be the last senior Liverpool attacker to leave in this window. There's ongoing interest from the Saudi Pro League in Darwin Nunez, while Federico Chiesa continues to be linked with a return to Italy. On the right side, Liverpool have Jeremie Frimpong who can deputise for Salah. Harvey Elliott and Ben Doak are also options, although they could both depart in the coming weeks if suitable offers are forthcoming. The real intrigue surrounds what happens centrally. Nunez being replaced by Alexander Isak is the dream scenario. However, for that to happen Newcastle United will have to soften their stance over the Swedish striker not being for sale. Liverpool would also need to command a decent fee for Nunez to help finance it. Slot wants to have tactical flexibility and Florian Wirtz could operate at times in the false nine role that Diaz filled on occasions last season. In terms of his legacy, Diaz never consistently hit the heights of Salah, Sadio Mane or Roberto Firmino. When it comes to legendary status, he belongs on the next rung down. It feels like a strange time to want to leave Liverpool but at this stage of his career he wanted the security of a big pay rise across a long-term contract stretching into his early 30s. His salary on Merseyside was always significantly higher than the £60,000 per week sometimes reported. Diaz and Gera Ponce got married in their homeland last month and they will now start a new chapter together in Munich. He will be missed in the Liverpool dressing room, especially among the close-knit South American contingent. He leaves behind some special memories and is guaranteed the warmest of receptions at Anfield if he returns with Bayern.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Lakers' LeBron James gets brutally honest on shift from Big 3 era
The post Lakers' LeBron James gets brutally honest on shift from Big 3 era appeared first on ClutchPoints. Amid Los Angeles Lakers All-Star LeBron James' potential retirement rumors after 2025-26, James reflected on the NBA's proverbial switch from the Big 3 era to what we see today. Instead of clammoring to create the next star-studded Big 3 of All-Stars to guide its team to a championship, NBA franchises prioritize depth over the top-heavy rosters of yesteryear. James can attest to this as being a part of one of the most successful superteams in the Miami Heat. As one-third of the Heat's Big 3 alongside Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, James led Miami to two championships (2012, 2013) between 2010 and 2014 before teaming up with Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love to form a new Big 3. James led the Cavs to the franchise's first championship in 2016 and spoke to playing in such an era before the NBA's significant shift, per Mind The Game podcast. 'I played in the era as well of the Big 3 era, but it's looking like now the game is starting to shift again to how can we create the most depth,' James said. 'But also, how can we create the most energy life? How can we have the most shelf life out on the floor to be able to sustain an injury or sustain a run throughout the course of a game, where guys can come in and it's infectious all game long.' While you can argue the champion Oklahoma City Thunder's Big 3 of MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, and Chet Holmgren led their team to victory, the team wasn't complied in the same manner as the ones James played for. Before, teams would make moves that brought All-Stars together, whereas the Thunder built theirs organically through trading for Gilgeous-Alexander after his rookie season before drafting Williams and Holmgren. You can say the same for the 2024 champion Boston Celtics, who drafted All-Stars Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum in back-to-back years before trading for key catalysts such as Kristaps Porzingis, Jrue Holiday, and Derrick White. LeBron James' rumored retirement tour ahead of Lakers season After the Big 3 era, is Lakers All-Star LeBron James entering his final season? While some believe that announcement could be coming soon, NBA insider Chris Fedor relieved his take on James' potential retirement via his Wine and Gold podcast. 'I believe, based on everything that I know about LeBron James and all the conversations that I've had with people in his orbit, his general orbit, I believe that LeBron is going to make it known that he is going to retire before he retires,' said Fedor. If so, that announcement would most likely happen before the 2025-26 campaign. Related: Zach Lowe wonders if Lakers just released better option than Marcus Smart Related: Lakers bolster frontcourt with pair of two-way signings
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
VT MARKETS CHAMPIONS GROWTH IN ASIA THROUGH PARTNERSHIP WITH NEWCASTLE UNITED AS CSR INITIATIVES ARE LAUNCHED
SYDNEY, July 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- VT Markets is using the 'power of football' to make a positive impact in communities across Asia, supported by a partnership with Premier League club Newcastle United. Celebrating its 10th anniversary, VT Markets committed to donating 1,000 Newcastle United branded footballs to schools across Southeast Asia. The initiative aims to deepen the brand's presence in Asia while creating opportunities for future generations to enjoy the sport. Additionally, VT Markets proudly donated £20,000 to the Newcastle United Foundation, commemorating the club's Carabao Cup victory and return to the UEFA Champions League. This contribution celebrates the club's incredible achievement while supporting its official charity partner's mission to harness the unifying power of football to connect, motivate, and inspire people through community, education, health, and sports programmes. VT Markets' Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives have been designed to champion growth through strategic partnerships and investments, with the aim of expanding the brand's footprint in Asia, while helping to nurture economic development in the region. By driving growth through impactful collaborations, VT Markets is not only deepening its regional presence but also helping to build a stronger, more resilient future for these communities. With plans already underway to bring similar initiatives to Latin America, the brand is looking to replicate this positive impact across even more global markets. As Newcastle United's Official Financial Trading Partner, first-team players including Sandro Tonali, Jacob Murphy, Dan Burn, and William Osula, kicked off the initiatives during an exclusive Meet and Greet session hosted by VT Markets. Also in attendance was club legend Shola Ameobi, who brought his trademark charisma to connect with fans at the event. The Magpies were based in Singapore ahead of their first fixture in the nation since 1996, taking on fellow Premier League side Arsenal as part of the Singapore Festival of Football. Speaking as the CSR initiatives were launched at an exclusive client engagement event in Singapore, hosted by VT Markets, Newcastle United player and Newcastle United Foundation ambassador Dan Burn shared: "Our fans are the soul of this club, wherever we go in the world. The support we've felt from everyone in Singapore has been unbelievable and that's a big reason why projects like this mean so much. "As players, football has helped to transform our lives so it's really special to see VT Markets use their position to support young people and give back to these amazing communities - both in Newcastle and across Asia. We see the fantastic work that Newcastle United Foundation do back home and this donation will make a great contribution to changing their lives of many people in our community." VT Markets recently marked a thrilling debut year as Official Financial Trading Partner of Newcastle United by visiting St. James' Park for the final match of the 2024/25 Premier League season. A history-making campaign saw Eddie Howe's side win the club's first domestic trophy in 70 years, which was quickly followed up with qualification for the UEFA Champions League. This year also coincides with a significant milestone for VT Markets, celebrating a decade of innovation in the global financial markets. Over the past 10 years, the company has driven growth through collaborations, expanding its presence and making a lasting impact within the industry by helping to build a stronger, more resilient future. "At VT Markets, we believe that true growth goes beyond numbers. Through our CSR initiatives, we aim to inspire, empower, and contribute meaningfully to the region's development, laying the foundation for long-term opportunity and success. Our partnership with Newcastle United is about driving positive change both on and off the field, and we look forward to deepening our impact as we continue this exciting journey in Asia together," Dandelyn Koh, Global Brand and PR Lead at VT Markets shared. As Newcastle United prepare for a return to the UEFA Champions League, VT Markets remains a steadfast partner, supporting ambitions on the pitch while helping to drive positive social change off the pitch. The event in Singapore served as an opportunity to highlight shared values and the vision of both organisations, centred around growth, community, and giving back. For media enquiries and sponsorship opportunities, please email media@ View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE VT Markets Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
