Jenkins hints at Monk exit from the Liberty
HUW Jenkins has admitted “something needs to change” at Swansea City in the biggest hint towards confirmation the club are ready to axe manager Garry Monk.
The Swans had stayed quiet on the fate of their under-fire boss despite it being believed that Monk has already been informed his days at the Liberty are all but over.
But chairman Jenkins broke the silence as he collected his OBE for services to football in Wales at Windsor Castle, indicating that he is ready to take action ahead of Saturday’s clash at Manchester City.
It is not expected for Monk to be in charge for the trip to the Etihad, although the 36-year-old took charge of training as normal at the club’s Fairwood base yesterday.
Players had been in the dark over what to expect when reporting in for the first time following Saturday’s damaging 3-0 defeat to Leicester, but were greeted by Monk and undertook a standard coaching session where the subject of his future was not raised by squad nor the manager himself.
Yet, despite the attempts to carry on with business as usual, it is still understood that an announcement over the managerial situation will be forthcoming.
Although Jenkins attempted to be vague with comments that could also be construed as pointing towards matters changing on the pitch or regarding Monk’s backroom staff, it is now widely being accepted that Monk will be relieved of his duties after 22 months in charge.
Speaking after receiving his honour from Prince William, the Duke of Cambridge, Jenkins said: “We all feel at the club that something needs to change to get things back on a positive note as quickly as possible and get us back to the levels of performances we have got to have to win games at the Premier League level.
“The difference between the end of August and how we find ourselves today is something we haven’t experienced at Swansea before, such a big change around from where we were after beating Man United in the last game in August.
“I think it just again highlights if things are not dealt with and addressed early enough, the Premier League is very unforgiving, and unless every angle and everybody’s focus is 100% week-in, week-out, things can change very quickly.”
Jenkins used the opportunity to stress that he would not be making a definitive statement on Monk’s future yesterday given his appointment in London despite lengthy talks with Monk throughout Monday that led those close to the former centre-back to accept the writing was on the wall for his 11-year stay as player and manager in South Wales.
Some sources have suggested one of the reasons for the delay in confirmation of Monk’s departure is the failure for the club to find someone to take even short-term charge.
Having already begun an informal process of identifying possible replacements for Monk, Swansea are thought to be prepared to consider someone who would take an interim job until the summer with the task of securing the club’s Premier League status where they could then reassess their options.
Popular former Swansea boss Brendan Rodgers had been an early target for Liberty chiefs although it remains unlikely the Northern Irishman would want to return to the club at this stage.
Jenkins honoured: Page 12