Swindon Town manager Ian Holloway makes player threats in explosive pre-season rant | OneFootball

The 63-year-old has unleashed a scathing attack on his players.

Swindon Town are undergoing pre-season as they prepare for a fifth successive season in League Two, and it has not been short of drama.

Ian Holloway, who is synonymous with the South West of England, arrived at the club in October 2024 when they were struggling in the fourth tier and guided them clear of relegation to a 19th-placed finish.

Last season, the Robins made improvements, ending the campaign in 12th, and there will be expectations the club progresses even more under Holloway, given it promised so much more.

However, after their most recent pre-season friendly, a 3-1 home defeat to Championship outfit Bristol City, the 63-year-old has unleashed an astonishing attack on his players.

Ian Holloway threatens to sell Swindon Town players after Bristol City defeat

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Swindon's pre-season is in full swing, and it has been a mixed bag so far, although everyone knows that friendly results count for nothing when the real season kicks off in mid-August.

The Robins began their summer with a 4-0 victory over Swindon Supermarine but have since suffered defeats to Chippenham Town, Crystal Palace and Bristol City.

Holloway's men took the lead against the Championship outfit through Aaron Drinan before goals from new signings Lorent Tolaj and Jed Wallace guided Michael Skubala's side to victory.

Referencing one of the Bristol City goals where Tolaj was able to convert while unmarked in the box from a free-kick, Holloway did not hold back.

"That is in the Swindon area; that is right on our doorstep; that's got to be headed out," he said on the club's YouTube channel.

"So, I will look at that. And if anybody continues to do it, then I'll have to get rid of them. If anybody didn't do their job, we'll have to show them.

"Hopefully, they'll do it better, or we'll have to get rid of them – because we've got to move forward."

What to make of Holloway's Swindon rant

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News of a Holloway outburst is not surprising given he has a history of speaking honestly and making controversial remarks.

Two years ago, not long after he arrived at the Nigel Eady County Ground, Holloway told fans not to come and watch his side following defeat to Bradford City.

Earlier this year, the 63-year-old hit out at the FA and EFL after his captain, Ollie Clarke, was given a one-match ban less than 24 hours before kick-off against Barrow.

Holloway then went on an extraordinary rant on BBC Radio Wiltshire, labelling the FA as "absolutely disgusting", "cowards" and "sickening" following their charge.

When listening to his latest interview, it is clear that Holloway was not completely annoyed by his side's performance against Bristol City and picked apart certain moments.

If anything, the 63-year-old has issued a warning to his players ahead of the new season, and clearly he is after a reaction when they play Leyton Orient in their next friendly.

Holloway has always been a passionate man and, given all that he has said in the past, his latest comments should not be blown out of proportion, as he is simply sending his players a warning.

Swindon begin their season with a League Cup clash against newly promoted Cardiff City before their opening League Two game against Northampton Town in mid-August.

How Swindon Town fans have reacted to Holloway's outburst

It is fair to say that Holloway's latest rant has not gone down well with the Swindon Town faithful, with some really laying into him.

One has even suggested that the players could take action into their own hands if they are not happy with his management.