Swansea boss Carlos Carvalhal will receive a warm reception on his return to Sheffield Wednesday, says Glenn Loovens: 'No one will say a bad word about him... he got on with all of us'

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Glenn Loovens says Swansea boss Carlos Carvalhal will receive a warm reception on his return to Hillsborough on Saturday — at least from his former players.

The Portuguese coach was sacked by Sheffield Wednesday on Christmas Eve hours after fans called for his head during a home defeat by Middlesbrough.

However, club captain Loovens says Carvalhal should be remembered for transforming a mid-table team into one that embarked on consecutive play-off campaigns.

Glenn Loovens said Carlos Carvalhal can expect to receive a warm reception at Hillsborough

'We had a lot of injuries, we didn't contribute as well, the results were not there and unfortunately for him it was time for him to move on,' Loovens said.

'But when he came in we had two great seasons with him with near-miss promotions. I think he gave the club a little bit of belief back. OK, this year didn't work out the way it was supposed to but that's football at times.

'No one will say a bad word about him here because he did a good job and got along with all of us. He brought in most players, he extended most players' contracts so everyone owes him a lot.

The Swansea boss returns to the club that sacked him earlier on in the season this weekend

'He got the respect from everybody and I wish him all the best because he did a great job. I texted him to say it would be nice if we were to see each other in the Cup and then we picked them out. It'll be nice to catch up with him.'

For Loovens, the effect Carvalhal has had on Swansea has not been a surprise. They have won six and lost only one of the 11 matches since his appointment and his colourful analogies — such as shopping for sardines in the transfer market when he would prefer lobster or 'putting all the meat in the barbecue' as a reference to making substitutions — have proved a hit in the Premier League.

'He had one or two with us. We heard about the fish and I remember the bank notes! He's a nice character to have around. Most of all I'm pleased for him,' added the Dutch defender.

Loovens insisted Carvalhal did a good job at the club and should be remembered for that

While victory would put Swansea in the FA Cup quarter-finals for the first time since 1964, Carvalhal will not jeopardise their Premier League status, resting first-team regulars for relegation battles.

'We won't take any risks and there will be changes because I will protect some players,' said Carvalhal. 'Ask me to stay in the Premier League or win the Cup, and I say Premier League because it is more important to the club.

'As a manager it would be fantastic to be with the trophy. I was at Wembley with Sheffield Wednesday (in the 2016 Championship play-off final) and I loved it, I want to go back there in my career. But I am not selfish because I understand the priority of the club — and that is to stay in the Premier League.'

The Sheffield Wednesday skipper said: 'No one will say a bad word about him here'

Carvalhal rotated his squad in previous rounds against Wolves and Notts County but Swansea still had enough to win those ties, albeit after replays. 

on Saturday they will be without cup-tied pair Andre Ayew and Andy King and with injuries ruling out Leroy Fer, Wilfried Bony and Renato Sanches. 

But Carvalhal said: 'We will not change our path compared to what we did in the past. We are playing against a good side in the Championship and it is very difficult to play at Hillsborough.

'We are underdogs there, not because we are worse than our opponents but because we are outside our main competition which we are completely focused on.

'We will try our best to go to the next stage and if we win it will be fantastic. But if we do not get to the next stage, then it is OK.'