Former Swansea City midfielder Kristian O'Leary says the club is probably better off without manager Paulo Sousa, who quit for Leicester City last week.O'Leary was released by Sousa last season after almost 15 years service with the Championship side.
"Personally if I'm honest, it's probably for the best for the club that Paulo has moved on," he said, on his unveiling at Welsh Premier side Neath.
"There were certain things going on at the club that wasn't good."
Sousa's stay at the Liberty Stadium only lasted a year, but the two-times Champions League winner guided the Swans to their highest league position - seventh - in 27 years.
The Swans also set a new clean sheet record of 24 and had one of the division's best defences, but it had the weakest attacks scoring just 40 goals and failing to score in 18 games.
"Looking at the league I watched a lot of it last year because I wasn't involved," said 33-year-old O'Leary. "If I'm honest I don't think the standard of the league was that great.
"Swansea had a terrible start, then had a good patch and fell away at the end. Whether that's fitness levels or what I don't know as I wasn't part of it at the end.
It's getting a little worrisome that we don't have a manager so close to the season opener
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"They certainly didn't score enough goals, but defensively we were outstanding.
"But there's got to be a happy mix. Fans were getting a bit frustrated with the style of football and a little bit of negativity that was going on.
"I think it needs a good appointment to lift morale, get the season tickets selling again and hopefully they can kick off where they left off."
Sheffield United have twice blocked moves by Swansea for permission to speak to ex-Wales captain Gary Speed who is on the coaching staff at Bramall Lane, while Hamilton Academicals boss Billy Reid has turned down the chance to speak to the Swans after an approach was made.
Exeter City's Paul Tisdale and Brighton manager Gus Poyet have both distanced themselves as has ex-Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate, while Bournemouth have warned the Swans off boss Eddie Howe and Wigan have said assistant manager Graeme Jones is staying at the DW Stadium.
Scunthorpe United's Nigel Adkins, Gianfranco Zola, Steve Clarke and former Reading boss Brendan Rodgers have all been linked.
Ex-Swans hero Lee Trundle, who was also unveiled by Neath on Tuesday says the next appointment is vital.
"They've got to bring in the right man this year," he said. "I'm sure they'll make the right decision, they have over the years.
"Hopefully the new manager who comes in will be more attacking-wise and will be wanting to get at teams and score goals and entertain the crowd because that's what the people of Swansea enjoy watching."
Source: BBC Sport
Source: BBC Sport