IAN HOLLOWAY has sensationally banned himself from SWEARING in a desperate attempt to spearhead Swindon to promotion.
The iconic Premier League boss, 63, ended a four-year spell away from management when he was appointed as the Robins’ chief in October 2024.
And Swindon are just three points adrift of the automatic promotion places ahead of their League Two showdown with Fleetwood today.
Holloway has implemented a bizarre policy of not allowing himself to use foul language around his players or at home – after holding talks with midfielder Darren Oldaker.
The top-flight cult hero said: “You have to accept what goes wrong and do something about it, and all of us are different.
“You only find out about yourself when things go wrong, and he [Oldaker] has been magnificent in the last two or three weeks with what he has done and how he has changed his attitude.
“I am really proud of him, and he has changed me at home, I have given up swearing.
“It was about time. I have always thought it was fine in football, and then I take that home, and my wife has the downside of it. I have gone nine days without it.”
Holloway was seething after Swindon were kicked out of the EFL Trophy for fielding two ineligible players in their last 16 tie with Luton.
But he has already noticed a difference in his mindset since starting his self-imposed cursing ban.
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The former Blackpool supremo added: “I have not sworn here or at home. Absolutely [I got through the Tranmere game without swearing]. I am cracking jokes, I am in a really good mood.
“I feel a lot better, I have let go of the angst that I had about Luton, the FA, the EFL, the referees and everyone in life who is Marmite towards me. I have let all of that go.
“I feel great. I have been watching Bob Mortimer and Paul Whitehouse: Gone Fishing, and I am relating a lot to that.
“There are some wonderful things in it, and you have joy sitting in your front room looking at the places they have been watching bumblebees.
“I just love fun, and they make me laugh. You have to find your good place, and I have definitely found my good place trying to help this lot get over the line.”
Swindon are firmly in the promotion race after a stunning EFL season has allowed them to sit comfortably in the play-off spots.
And left-back Jake Batty reckons Holloway’s decision to stop swearing could help the Robins get over the line as they push for League One football.
He said: “The gaffer shows emotion through every session and every minute.
“It is nice to see that he is doing something to influence us and be more positive.
“If he doesn’t swear, things can come across nicer than what he wants to say, but that is the manager, and I think that has helped us.”
