The Albion links came just when Swansea were looking like genuine contenders for a top-half finish in 2024-25, which would have been a laudable achievement given the club’s budget and the players at Williams’ disposal.

In the autumn, Williams had boldly talked up Swansea’s play-off prospects having suggested – understandably – last September that it would be “silly” to say his inexperienced squad could compete “at the very peak” of the division.

Williams left Notts County to take over at Swansea in early January 2024, signing a three-and-a-half-year contract at a club where he had previously been part of Russell Martin’s coaching staff.

The Swans were 16th in the Championship when he arrived, having taken 11 points from seven games under caretaker boss Alan Sheehan following the sacking of Michael Duff in December 2023.

Despite some difficult days in the early part of his tenure, Williams led Swansea to a 14th-placed finish last May and set out this season hoping to make steady progress while developing the young players in his squad.

He was on course to achieve those goals until the collapse in 2025 which has prompted his exit.

Williams goes just as Richard Montague, who he worked with at Notts County, takes up the role of director of football at Swansea.

Williams felt Montague’s arrival would assist Swansea’s off-field operations, having been critical of the club’s failings in the mid-season window.