I’m prepared to quit if we don’t improve

Jenkins accepts responsibility as Swans battle against drop

Huw Jenkins has revealed he is prepared to quit Swansea City after accepting responsibility for the club’s position.

But he has done so while launching a stern defence of his actions – including the sale of the club where he says claims he went behind the backs of the Supporters Trust are untrue.

Jenkins has come under fire from supporters who have become increasingly frustrated with the club’s struggles, as well as the nature of the sale of a controlling stake in the club to US pair Steve Kaplan and Jason Levien.

And he has admitted his position as chairman would be untenable if the club continues to struggle, revealing he is ready to consider walking away at the end of the season regardless whether the side avoids relegation from the Premier League. But, in his first major interview since the share sale, Jenkins has robustly defended the decision to sell, saying it was needed for the financial future of the club – and, crucially that the Trust were aware.

Jenkins claims the Trust were fully aware of the desire of shareholders to sell all or part of their stakes, that they were given the full details at the same time as other shareholders and still had time to make a decision whether to sell their own shares or not.

“Where it’s stated things were done behind the Trust’s back, that’s not entirely true,” he said during a wide-ranging interview at the club’s training ground. “This is what happened and people can make their judgements.”

Addressing questions for more than an hour, Jenkins also:

■ Insisted he was not prepared to gamble the club’s future after outlining how close the club were to financial worries before the share sale;

■ Denied he has too much say in transfer activity, though accepted that recent recruitment has not been good enough;

■ Revealed regret at not pursuing a deal to bring back Brendan Rodgers to the club last summer and why he could not push for Joe Allen’s return;

■ Claimed there will be money to spend in January, remaining adamant the US owners are the right people for Swansea – and will stick by the club in the event of relegation.

Jenkins, though, has admitted he would be ready to stand down after 15 years as chairman in that event, saying he has no choice but to take full responsibility for the club’s fall from grace. Swansea have gone from being seen as the model club to in-fighting and a lack of identity, with a fifth manager in two years charged with steering the club away from the very real prospect of the end of a seven-year stay in the Premier League.

And on claims from some supporters that his position has become untenable, he said: “I have to take responsibility. I cannot not take responsibility. I think there are reasons (for the situation) but I think a lot of people don’t want to listen to the reasons because they want to see action and they want to see the team doing well.

“I don’t totally agree my position is how they say it, but I think if we continue as we are, yes it will be.

“If the club are relegated, I would certainly consider (quitting). I am not that naive or arrogant or whatever the words are that I am not responsible.”

■ FULL INTERVIEW: Pages 56-59