Swansea sacks Monk, courts Rodgers

Swansea City have announced that they have ‘reluctantly parted company’ with manager Garry Monk. The club have dispensed with the club stalwart’s services after a run of a single victory in 11 games. Following the 3-0 defeat to Leicester City, Swansea are languishing in 15th place in the Premier League table, just 1 point above 18th placed Newcastle.

It is a huge fall from grace for Garry Monk, who was being touted as England’s next manager in the summer, having guided Swansea to their highest ever Premier League finish the previous year. The Swans started this season in good form as well, they were 4th in the table having defeated Manchester United 2-1 at Old Trafford on 30th August.

Referring to Swansea’s position at that time, Swansea City Chairman, Huw Jenkins, confirmed Monk’s departure, saying, “The decision has been made very reluctantly and with a heavy heart. To find ourselves in our current situation from where we were in the first week of September, and considering the drop of performance levels and run of results over the last three months, it has brought us to this unfortunate decision today.”

Monk joined Swansea on a free transfer in June 2004 from Barnsley as a central defender. He captained the Swans in all 4 divisions of English football, one of the few players to do so. Monk subsequently took over as player-manager following Michael Laudrup’s departure and was confirmed as manager the following season.

Read also: Swansea defeats Man U 2-1 at home

“It was not a decision we took lightly, especially given Garry’s history and standing within the club. And it goes without saying that we wish Garry all the very best for the future and thank him for his tremendous service, not only as a player over the last decade, but also as our manager. He will always have a warm welcome at this football club. We hope to appoint a replacement as soon as possible.”

Former Liverpool and Swansea manager, Brendan Rodgers is in the running to take over at the Welsh club. While the Swansea hierarchy will be pleased to return to a familiar manager who left for greener pastures, Rodgers might be reluctant to return to the Swans, since it might represent a step backwards in his career. Rodgers had a wonderful time with Swansea, having had an overall win rate of 45% in the Championship and the Premier League.

RipplesNigeria …without borders, without fears

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now