Gwyn Williams (football manager)

Gwyn Williams was Leeds United's Technical Director, and a former Chelsea chief scout who discovered John Terry and helped make a £14m profit on Tore André Flo for the London side.[1]

Gwyn Williams
Personal information
Full name Gwyn Williams

Chelsea

Gwyn Williams spent 27 years at Stamford Bridge where he served as Chelsea's chief scout and as assistant manager under Claudio Ranieri, before leaving the club in June 2006.[2]

Leeds United

Williams took up the post of Technical Director aimed mainly at scouting for Leeds United in 2006.[3] He took charge of the first team as they faced Southend United following the resignation of Dennis Wise.[4] After the appointment of Gary McAllister he returned to his Technical Director role, where he continued to use his contacts to find players for Leeds United. Two of his most high-profile findings are 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]

Further information: Homosexuality in English football § Homophobia

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]

Further information: Racism in association football § United Kingdom

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]

References
  1. Holt, Sarah (25 July 2006). "Scouting mission". BBC Sport. Retrieved 7 September 2007.
  2. "Williams leaves Stamford Bridge". BBC Sport. 7 June 2006. 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
  6. Taylor, Daniel (12 January 2018). "Graham Rix and Gwyn Williams accused of racism and bullying while at Chelsea". The Guardian.


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