Gwyn Williams (football manager)

Last updated July 05, 2023

Gwyn Williams is a former Chelsea coach, assistant manager and chief scout who spent 27 years with the London club, before a seven year spell with Leeds United as technical director.

Chelsea

Gwyn Williams joined Chelsea in 1979 and spent 27 years at Stamford Bridge where he served in a number of roles, including chief scout and as assistant manager under Claudio Ranieri, before eventually leaving the club in June 2006.^[1] He credits himself with discovering John Terry and helping Chelsea make a £14 million profit on Tore André Flo.^[2]

Leeds United

Williams took up the post of technical director aimed mainly at scouting for Leeds United in 2006, following new chairman Ken Bates from Chelsea.^[3] He briefly took charge of the first team in January 2008 as they faced Southend United following the resignation of Dennis Wise.^[4] Two of his most high-profile findings at Leeds United were Robert Snodgrass in Scotland and Luciano Becchio in the Spanish second division.

Sexual harassment, homophobia and racism allegations

In July 2013, Williams was dismissed by Leeds for gross misconduct after emailing pornographic images of women to a number of colleagues, including a female receptionist.^[5]

Williams has been accused of making homophobic comments to former Chelsea defender Graeme Le Saux. "He would wander up to me before training and say: 'Come on, poof, get your boots on'", Le Saux wrote in his 2007 autobiography.^[6]

In 2018, Williams, along with Chelsea manager Graham Rix, was accused of racism and physical assault by multiple trainees who were of school-age at the time. Both denied the allegations. After a seven-month investigation, the police decided there was insufficient evidence to take any action.^[6] However, after four former youth players sued Chelsea FC, the club agreed on 7 February 2022 to settle out of court with a total of eight former youth players paid damages up to six figure amounts.^[7]

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References

↑ "Williams leaves Stamford Bridge". BBC Sport. 7 June 2006. Retrieved 7 September 2007.
↑ Holt, Sarah (25 July 2006). "Scouting mission". BBC Sport. Retrieved 7 September 2007.
↑ Hay, Phil (1 August 2006). "Whites appoint ex-Blue Williams". Yorkshire Evening Post. Archived from the original on 28 September 2007. Retrieved 7 September 2007.
↑ Phillips, Michael (30 January 2008). "McAllister era cheered but jeers for the Wise reign". The Guardian. Retrieved 10 February 2013.
↑ United entitled to sack employee over obscene emails
1 2 Taylor, Daniel (12 January 2018). "Graham Rix and Gwyn Williams accused of racism and bullying while at Chelsea". The Guardian.
↑ "Chelsea pay damages after racism claims". BBC Sport. 7 February 2022. Retrieved 7 February 2022.

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[1] "Williams leaves Stamford Bridge". BBC Sport. 7 June 2006. Retrieved 7 September 2007.

[2] Holt, Sarah (25 July 2006). "Scouting mission". BBC Sport. Retrieved 7 September 2007.

[3] Hay, Phil (1 August 2006). "Whites appoint ex-Blue Williams". Yorkshire Evening Post. Archived from the original on 28 September 2007. Retrieved 7 September 2007.

[4] Phillips, Michael (30 January 2008). "McAllister era cheered but jeers for the Wise reign". The Guardian. Retrieved 10 February 2013.

[5] United entitled to sack employee over obscene emails

[GuardianRacism-6] 1 2 Taylor, Daniel (12 January 2018). "Graham Rix and Gwyn Williams accused of racism and bullying while at Chelsea". The Guardian.

[7] "Chelsea pay damages after racism claims". BBC Sport. 7 February 2022. Retrieved 7 February 2022.

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