Swansea City boss Luke Williams insists the club are making progress on the search for a new sporting director, but says they may have to wait around if they want to appoint the right person.

The club have spent the last few weeks searching for a replacement for Paul Watson, who left his role at the Swans back in October.

Williams says conversations with prospective candidates have already taken place, but says whoever comes in is likely to be taking on a slightly different role to the one held by Watson.

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"There's progress," the Swans boss said. "People have been spoken to already. I think to be clear, it's going to be a different role. It's not going to be like for like.

"Paul did many good things and it was a very, very challenging job, and we probably learned many things as a football club, and there are some very capable people with good experience that we're talking to.

"When we're absolutely sure we've found the right person then we'll do everything we can to get that person here.

"We have to be sure that whoever comes in understands what this unique club means to many, many people, and puts that into the forefront of their thinking, and not ever try to take away things that the vast majority of the fanbase love about the club.

"That's been very much my input in the process and that's been listened to and respected I'm sure.

"So I would like someone to come in and really appreciate the history and the type of people that have done really well here, and try to recapture as many of those types of people as possible."

When pressed on how the new sporting director's role would be different, Williams added: "I think there will be less responsibilities for that person, but that person will have to be absolutely outstanding at the responsibilities they do have.

"I think Paul probably had a very broad spectrum and it can be difficult to spread yourself that thin, so I think there will be a bit of a restructure in that way, and have somebody that can really focus on some very key things that need doing to a very high standard, and then bring other people in to fill the void."

One of the key areas overseen by Watson was recruitment. Indeed, it was the club's perceived failings in the transfer market that saw him come under heavy criticism from supporters.

However, Williams says much of the work in terms of recruitment is now likely to be taken on by another job role.

"I think there'll be an additional member of staff that will be very much focused entirely on recruitment, and sporting director will have some input into that of course. Then one or two other things that are very important to us that are probably not as obvious on the grass."

It's not yet clear when the club hope to have a new person in place, but Williams admits it's likely the club will be waiting for a little while at least.

"I'd anticipate that we'd have to expect a notice period to be served. Whoever it is, they're likely to already be in employment.

"So I don't think it's going to be a very quick thing to happen. I couldn't tell you an exact timescale, but I think it's less likely that somebody is there and unattached to bring in immediately."