Swansea City’s busy summer transfer window saw 13 new arrivals at the Swansea.com Stadium, but sporting director Paul Watson is already looking to the future as he works to put in place the structures and processes to drive the club forward.

In a whirlwind two-and-a-half months since his June appointment, following five years with Luton Town, much of Watson’s focus has been on recruitment with the summer transfer window opening hot on the heels of his arrival in SA1.

The number and range of signings provide head coach Michael Duff with valuable depth and options, while the groundwork laid earlier in the window saw four deadline-day acquisitions bolster the first-team squad.

But – in addition to that immediate, short-term work – Watson is aiming considerably further down the line; seeking to build on the foundations in place to create an organisational framework that draws on a range of skills, knowledge and expertise to consistently deliver for Swansea City.

“We have finished this window stronger than we started it, which was the aim,” says Watson.

“Now we want to improve and go again in the next window – work has already started on that front – but also for a number of windows beyond that.

“Ultimately, we want to build a process that will help us continue to improve.

“We have had the first phase now, if you like, which has been focused on recruitment because of the timing of the window and my appointment.

“The next phase is how we go about building the recruitment process, the data analytics, the research and development aspect, and beyond.

“We are better equipped going into the next window, so we can make decisions earlier and hopefully continue to improve the squad and maximise the opportunities to do that.

“It is going to be huge for us to put structures in place on the football and business side that can allow the club to be successful for the long term.

“On the business side, Andy (Coleman) the chairman recently called an all-staff meeting for everyone at the club.

“From the players to the people who work in every corner of the business, it provided an outline of what the football club wants to do in the short, medium and long term.

“That filters down to myself on the football side, and building those structures and processes to make us stronger. That is where we want to be.

“You don’t want to be relying on one or two individuals, we want to rely on a process that the fans can understand and know what to expect from, and understand the rational behind it.

“Everyone is clear and aligned, and there are no excuses.”

While the aim is to grow and expand the club’s recruitment and scouting operations, Watson was pleased with the decisive manner in which the Swans completed their summer business, believing the club benefited from key football decisions being made in south Wales.