Carlos Carvalhal takes the reins at struggling Swansea

Premier League strugglers Swansea City have appointed Carlos Carvalhal as their manager until the end of the season on Thursday.

Carvalhal was sacked by second division outfit Sheffield Wednesday on Christmas Eve, but Swansea surprisingly chose the Portuguese coach to replace Paul Clement, who lost his job on 20 December with the club languishing at the bottom of the Premier League. The Welsh club said Carvalhal's contract included the option of an extension at the end of the season.

"We felt we needed to get the managerial situation resolved as soon as possible and while the timing is not always perfect, we can look forward to the second half of the campaign with renewed optimism", Swansea chairman Huw Jenkins said.

Swansea locked in last place

To convince Swansea to keep him beyond this season, Carvalhal might have to save his new club from relegation. They sit five points from safety and bottom of the table with no wins in their last four matches after a 5-0 thrashing at Liverpool on Tuesday. Carvalhal is Swansea's fifth permanent manager in two years and his move to the Liberty Stadium might not inspire much confidence from the club's frustrated fans. He led Wednesday to the Championship play-offs in the last two seasons, but lost his job with the Yorkshire side after an eight-game winless run left them well outside the top six.

Jenkins is confident Carvalhal can rescue Swansea: "We are very pleased with the appointment. Carlos' time at Sheffield Wednesday, which included securing two consecutive play-off places, highlighted that he has great character and personality to lead the squad and the football club, which is vital at such a crucial time. He has built up a lot of experience over the years which will ensure the team is structured and organised. He is driven and ambitious and, while he has a big challenge ahead of him, I know he will tackle it without fear".

Leon Britton had been working as a player-caretaker manager, but Carvalhal hasn't confirmed if the long-serving Swansea midfielder will stay on the coaching staff.