When you think of a football manager, working at an airport isn’t usually what comes to mind.
Yet, that’s exactly what former Swansea City boss Luke Williams has done, surprising fans by taking a job at Bristol Airport just months after parting ways with the Championship club.
At 44 years old, Williams’ career has taken an unusual turn, proving that sometimes life off the pitch can be just as unpredictable as the game itself.
A New Role Helping Passengers at Bristol Airport
Williams was sacked by Swansea back in February after a tough spell that saw the club languishing near the bottom of the Championship table.
Since then, he’s been on gardening leave, which means he’s technically still employed but not managing.
Now, according to reports from The Athletic, Williams has been working at Bristol Airport for about two weeks, assisting disabled and limited-mobility passengers by helping transport them around the terminal.
It’s a role that’s very different from coaching footballers but one he apparently finds meaningful.
Fans React With Surprise and Skepticism
When a photo surfaced of Williams wearing a high-visibility jacket while on the job, many football supporters were left scratching their heads.
Some wondered if it was a prank or a hoax.
Comments on social media ranged from disbelief to genuine surprise.
One fan admitted, “I walked past him earlier and thought, ‘nah surely not,’” while another wasn’t sure whether to believe the story at all.
It’s not every day you see a former Championship manager in a hi-vis vest guiding passengers at an airport!
A Life Built on Hard Work and Resilience
This isn’t Williams’ first experience working outside football.
Before he turned fully to coaching and management, he took on a variety of jobs.
Early on, he loaded lorries for British Home Stores, drove minibuses from airports and nightclubs, and even transported construction workers to the Olympic Park in Stratford.
His playing career was cut short by a knee injury, and he started coaching at just 19.
Talking to The Guardian last year, Williams shared how his motivation came from the realisation that life wouldn’t be easy without qualifications or contacts, especially for someone from a working-class background.
He said, “I realised that I was capable of tolerating almost anything, providing that I would be able to have a roof over my head and something to eat.”
That mindset has stayed with him throughout his career.
What’s Next for Luke Williams?
If the airport job doesn’t become a long-term career, Williams has other plans.
He enrolled in an electrician course after leaving Swansea for the first time in 2023, when he was assistant to Russell Martin.
His time managing Swansea ended after a rough run of seven losses in nine league matches.
At the time of his departure, Swansea sat 17th in the Championship but managed to climb to 11th by the end of the season.
For now, Williams seems to be taking life in stride—finding purpose in a new environment while staying grounded in the values of hard work and determination that have shaped his journey so far.