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Hard act to follow after Swans' goalkeeping successes
TL;DR
Swansea City’s head of goalkeeping Martyn Margetson has left the club after three years. His departure raises questions about who will succeed him and maintain the success of the team's goalkeepers.
Key points
- Martyn Margetson has left Swansea City for the second time
- He served as head of goalkeeping for three years
- Swansea's goalkeepers thrived during his tenure
[Huw Evans Picture Agency]
The recent successes of Swansea City goalkeepers suggests Martyn Margetson's successor may have a hard act to follow.
Margetson has said farewell to Swansea for a second time, ending a three-year spell as the Championship club's head of goalkeeping after a previous two-season stint in a similar role between 2019 and 2021.
Across Margetson's five campaigns at Swansea, their various frontline keepers have thrived.
During Margetson's first spell with the Swans, Freddie Woodman was first-choice keeper across his two season-long loans from Newcastle United.
Steve Cooper's Swansea reached the play-offs in each of those campaigns, with Woodman winning the Championship's golden glove award in 2020-21 thanks to 20 league clean sheets.
After Margetson departed alongside Cooper in 2021, first-team goalkeeping duties were shared between Steven Benda, Ben Hamer and Andy Fisher in 2021-22.
In the following campaign, Fisher played 27 games and Benda 23, before the return of Margetson as part of Michael Duff's new-look management team in 2023 coincided with the return of more stability in the Swansea goal.
Carl Rushworth arrived on a year-long loan from Brighton and cleaned up at Swansea's end-of-season awards the following spring.
[Huw Evans Picture Agency]
When Rushworth departed in 2024, Swansea turned to Lawrence Vigouroux – who then boss Luke Williams had worked with at Leyton Orient – and he has been one of their most consistent performers over the last two seasons.
In a farewell message posted on social media, Margetson said the decision to "step down" from his role was right for him and his family.
"There have been some special moments along the way," Margetson wrote.
"Seeing Freddie Woodman win the Championship golden glove was a huge achievement for him, his family and the club.
"Carl Rushworth's development into the club's player of the season was another proud moment for him, his family and the club.
"Lawrence Vigouroux has been excellent for the two seasons he's had so far at Swansea City and is now an established Chile international, something everybody at the club should be proud of."
Swansea are yet to announce who will succeed Margetson as their first-team goalkeeping coach.
Q&A
Who is Martyn Margetson and why did he leave Swansea City?
Martyn Margetson is the former head of goalkeeping at Swansea City, who recently departed after a three-year tenure.
What impact did Margetson have on Swansea City's goalkeepers?
Under Margetson's leadership, Swansea City's goalkeepers experienced significant success, suggesting his successor will face high expectations.
Who might succeed Martyn Margetson as head of goalkeeping at Swansea?
The club has not yet announced a successor for Martyn Margetson, leaving fans curious about who will take over the role.