Huw looking ahead to next season
9th May
Huw Jenkins insists everyone at Swansea City is looking forward to next season following the appointment of Garry Monk as first-team manager.
Monk was handed a three-year contract on Wednesday following his role as head coach after the departure of Michael Laudrup back in February.
The 35-year-old is the Premier League's youngest boss and his first game as permanent boss will be against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on Sunday.
That is the Swans' final game of a long campaign that has seen European football and a battle to stay in the top flight.
But following this week's news, the Chairman believes it is time to look ahead to 2014-15 after a turbulent season at the Liberty Stadium.
"First of all, we're delighted to have reached an agreement," said Jenkins. "We have done that early to ensure we have the time to plan ahead for next season.
"We've experienced quite a lot with managers here and we feel that one of the most important ingredients of appointing any manager is ensuring that you have people who are working together.
"Results, especially in the Premier League, are vital. But the way we have played has been very encouraging, and I think people underestimate the job Garry has done after coming in during the season.
"He now has the whole of pre-season to plan and work with the players, and add to the squad so everyone is clear about the direction.
"Garry's experience of working with us as a club is vital and we are delighted and looking forward to next season."
The Swans secured their Premier League status with two games to spare following recent back-to-back wins over Newcastle and Aston Villa.
And with a fourth successive season of top flight football to look forward to in SA1, Jenkins believes it is the club's principles that are a vital component of progress.
"We have fought a battle in the last ten years against all the odds," he said. "We have to make sure that collectively we have got that belief going forward, and Garry is accustomed to that.
"First and foremost, staying in the Premier League is number one. Some of our fans might think that is defeatist, but it is realism of the level we are playing at.
"Above that, we've got an inner belief about the way we play and the players we want to come in and help us to develop.
"The challenge exists year on year and we have a belief here that every game we go out and play we can win."
