Carvalhal: A pleasure to manage Swans

Carlos Carvalhal and his staff have thanked Swansea City for their Premier League opportunity following their departure from the club.

Carvalhal arrived at the Liberty Stadium last December after signing a contract until the end of the campaign.

He took over a club who sat bottom of the Premier League and five points from safety.

Despite a surge in form which included victories over Liverpool and Arsenal and a fantastic run to the FA Cup quarter-finals, the Swans were relegated to the Championship on the final day of the season.

As he said his goodbyes, Carvalhal was keen to pay tribute to the club and city he is leaving behind.

“First of all, I must thank the chairman Huw Jenkins and majority owners Stephen Kaplan and Jason Levien for their full support,” said Carvalhal.“It has been a big pleasure to manage Swansea City, and I am very grateful for the way not only the club but the city welcomed me.

“From the players to the chefs, the physios and staff, I really enjoyed working with you all.

“I also appreciate the way the press at local and national level treated me. I like to think we had a very positive relationship.

“But most of all, I must thank the supporters. They were absolutely fantastic during my time here, and they follow the team up and down the country with huge passion. You should be very proud of your support.

“While Swansea and myself will go in a different direction, I wish the club all the best.

“I am sure I will be a Jack forever.”

Carvalhal’s first-team coaches, Joao Mario and Bruno Lage, will leave with him as well as match analysts Jhony Conceicao and Paulo Sampaio.