Swansea are trying to persuade Louis van Gaal to become their next manager.

The Welsh strugglers, who sacked Paul Clement on Wednesday night, have already sounded out the former Manchester United boss about taking over at the Liberty Stadium.

Swansea want a man with Premier League ­experience, with former West Ham chief Slaven Bilic another possibility.

Former Southampton and Everton boss Ronald Koeman is also in the frame, but is not thought to be ready to make a return to the game yet.

(Image: PA)

Van Gaal, 66, revealed at the weekend that he could be tempted back into ­management as he feels he has unfinished business following his acrimonious departure from Old Trafford in 2016.

The challenge for Swansea will be persuading him to take over a team sitting last in the table.

Van Gaal said: “I said I will probably not manage a club any more. I would make one exception. If a big English (or Welsh, they hope! - Ed) club comes for me, I would do it. Because then I can get the chance to get one over Manchester United.”

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Paul Clement speaks before his last game in charge of Swansea

(Image: REUTERS)

It is believed the Dutchman is one of the candidates who has been discussed by the Swansea hierarchy and the club are confident of making an appointment before Saturday’s home game with relegation-scrap rivals Crystal Palace.

Former West Brom boss and proven relegation firefighter Tony Pulis, a Welshman, is keen on the job, but there are believed to be reservations about him after his unhappy ending at the Hawthorns.

(Image: Getty)

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If they do not make an appointment for the weekend, veteran midfielder Leon Britton is expected to be put in temporary charge.

Long-time assistant Clement — who was appointed in January — simply ran out of time, despite guiding them to safety last term after taking over in the middle of a relegation battle.

Swansea have won just three times all season and are four points adrift from safety.

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It is felt the club were not going forward under the 45-year-old, despite the realisation that the club’s recent transfer business and recruitment has been poor.

Chairman Huw Jenkins said changing the manager halfway through a season “was the last thing we wanted to do”.

He added: “We felt we couldn’t leave it any longer and needed to make a change to give the best chance of an uplift.”