From the touchline to the telephone lines, Luke Williams, former Swansea City head coach, has swapped tactics for ticketing as he begins a new role as a call centre operator at Bristol Airport.
The 41-year-old was sacked in February after a dismal run of form with Swansea, but instead of chasing another managerial post, Williams has taken a surprising route, one that pays significantly less than life in the dugout.
The former Swansea coach said he wants to explore other options that will take him months of training.
“I do. Of course I do, but you can learn a lot from anything that you do. It doesn’t have to be in football. It doesn’t have to be in sport,” Williams told The Athletic.
What went wrong at Swansea
Williams was barely 13 months into a three-and-a-half-year deal when the axe fell. Despite a promising spell at Notts County, his time in South Wales unravelled quickly.
Swansea managed just a 32% win rate across 58 games under his leadership, and by February, they had dropped to 17th place in the Championship with seven straight losses and 28 total defeats.
A decision was made to set an example for his teenage kids
Speaking about his recent decision, Williams said the reason is to explore other means, as there are diverse ways to grow. From a man who has been supervising others and giving instructions, Williams is now in the shoes of his former players and staff while at either Nott County or Swansea. But far from ashamed, Williams says the move was motivated by a desire to set a strong example for his children.
“I’ve come to learn that, from what people have said, if they tried to put themselves in my shoes, they would find it uncomfortable. But I don’t have that sensation,” he added.
“It feels very natural to find something to do and to go and work and make a positive impact. I’ve got two sons. They’re five and six, and in the blink of an eye, they’re going to be 15 and 16. The things that are happening around them, they’re absorbing. I need to show them to always have a routine and an objective for the day. If you’re of working age and you’re capable, and you’re fortunate to have your health, go and work and contribute. So that’s what I’m doing,” Williams concluded.
