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Los Angeles is a long way from the Liberty Stadium, but even now Bob Bradley follows every one of Swansea City’s results to see how his former side get on.

It’s not been pretty. The club’s relegation to the Championship was officially confirmed on the final day of last season following a horror campaign and three straight years battling the drop.

Trouble had been brewing in SA1 for a while with, Bradley’s ill-fated spell in charge certainly contributing to the mess.

It’s been 17 months since the American was dismissed by Swans chairman Huw Jenkins with a record that saw him win just two of his 11 games in charge.

Bradley is now in charge of scratch Major League Soccer outfit LAFC and is enjoying success in California. His side – only established at the start of this season – are flying high.

The 60-year-old won’t be remembered fondly by Swansea fans, but his passion for the club remains clear. “From the day I left I followed every match and I still want to see Swansea do well,” Bradley said. “I know the history and the supporters and I was very pleased last year when Paul Clement came in and they found a way to stay up. At the same time I know it’s a big disappointment also this year.

“I still hear from some really good people at Fairwood and some supporters. I know there are a lot of supporters I didn’t get to know that don’t speak highly of me, but that’s their problem.

“They didn’t take the time to get to know me. The ones I do hear from are good people and that’s why I still watch them and support the club.

“Tough decisions have to be made, but hopefully they can fight like any club that goes down and find a way back into the Premier League.”

Bradley was mocked – entirely unfairly – for his football language in the media, but he lasted just 85 days at the Liberty before being dismissed in December 2016.

Swansea went on to appoint Clement in his place and survived the season, but the former Real Madrid assistant was sacked at Christmas and his replacement Carlos Carvalhal failed to stop a seven-year spell in England’s top-flight from ending.

Carvalhal has since been let go, too.

Ostersunds boss Graham Potter is the favourite to become Swansea’s seventh manager in just over four years with a summer of upheaval on the way at the Liberty.

(Image: ROBERT HENRIKSSON/AFP/Getty Images)

Whoever takes charge, Swansea have been urged to return to their roots and the passing style which saw them shock some of English football’s elite.

“I feel it is an opportunity to re-establish the football way. I was there for 11 games and I tried like hell to get that team to play football every match,” Bradley said.

“I didn’t take enough points. I understand that and you move on.

“Wherever I’ve gone I’ve tried to challenge players that in order to get anywhere we’ve got to play good football. I still remember the Tottenham game where I took a lot of criticism, some from in-house.

“We were down 2-0 at half time and then you have an important decision - is it damage control or a real attempt to get back into the game?

“I chose to try and get back into it and we lost 5-0. When I was challenged by people on the inside I said ‘If you’re not willing to go for games and push yourselves, then you have no chance to become a good team’.

“People can say that’s naive, but I don’t really care because that’s football and the best teams are not afraid to play and create chances.

“Whoever Swansea choose there has to be an understanding of what kind of team the supporters have to stand behind, the football they want to see every week, and I wish them all the best.”

Bradley’s passion for Swansea still runs through his veins. The Premier League is now behind him though with his Los Angeles side filling out their new 22,000-capacity home and sitting second in the MLS Western Conference.

“I don’t complain. I had the chance with Swansea and I stuck to my way of doing things. I went there like I went to Egypt, Norway, France and have come back to the USA to be myself,” Bradley added.

“In football you move forward and the simple answer is that eight points in 11 games wasn’t good enough. “After we lost at home to West Ham the vultures were flying over the stadium, but decisions get made and you can’t let it affect you. You have to believe in your work and be strong. If along the way you lose the chance, you step back and wait for the next one.

“When you talk about the ‘Swansea Way’ and you talk about the football, it’s got to show itself week in, week out and you don’t want to be in the position every year where it’s just about survival.

“I believe you’ve got to try and play football, no matter the league or the situation.”