Swans have "secret recipe", says Toshack
2nd August
John Toshack believes the Swans have found a "secret recipe" as they embark on a fifth Barclays Premier League campaign.
Garry Monk's side face defending champions Chelsea in the opening game of the season at Stamford Bridge next Saturday.
The Swans enjoyed a record-breaking campaign last season, finishing eighth with 56 points.
And Toshack, who guided the Swans to the top flight in 1981 after three successive promotions, believes the club has found the key to success.
"It goes without saying that they've done really well under Garry Monk," the former Wales manager during an interview with Jack Magazine.
"I saw a lot of Swansea last season - although perhaps not as many games as I would have liked - and they were extremely good.
"People might have thought they would struggle because it was Garry's first full season as manager, but achieving their highest finish in the Premier League speaks for itself. It's very difficult to pick any holes in what the club are doing right now.
"Usually I think it's better for former players to start their managerial careers in the lower leagues and work their way up, but Garry has settled into the role as Swansea City manager comfortably and obviously his knowledge of the club has helped.
"He's done better than I think anyone could have expected. With the money involved at the top level, it's difficult, but Garry and Swansea have set the bar now.
He added: "Going back to my time at Liverpool, I was always taught that once one season has finished, you need to forget it and focus on the next one.
"I have never liked the word 'consolidation'. I remember Shanks used to say that 'consolidation' was for 'cheats'.
"I have massive respect for what Chairman Huw Jenkins and Martin Morgan (director) have done with the club.
"From being hours away from dropping out of the Football League to reaching where they are now is one of football's greatest success stories.
"They've moved on at an incredible pace and I am sure people are wondering what the secret recipe is.
"You have to keep improving and aim as high as possible, and I am sure that Garry and Swansea will want to do even better again next season."