Monk ready for tough Swansea challenge

Garry Monk is ready for the challenge that awaits him as Swansea’s new head coach, saying: “I will give everything I have.”

Monk and first-team coach Alan Curtis oversaw their first training session yesterday after the Swans parted company with manager Michael Laudrup.

The Dane has been followed through the exit door by assistant manager Morten Wieghorst, fitness coach Oscar Garcia and overseas scout Erik Larsen ahead of Saturday’s south Wales derby against Cardiff.

Laudrup’s departure, announced on Tuesday night, has been backed by the Swansea City Supporters’ Trust, with the club currently sitting just two points above the Premier League danger zone following a run of one win from 10 games.

Long-serving defender Monk, a former club captain, and Swansea stalwart Curtis have been put in charge “for the foreseeable future”.

“I will give everything I have for Swansea City. I will promise the fans that. And I will ensure the players do exactly the same,” Monk, 34, said.

“We are all in this together, and I will make sure we stick together. That is what Swansea City has been all about for as long as I can remember.

“I know this club inside out, and I will try and use that knowledge to the betterment of Swansea City. I also know how important this football club is to the fans. They are the important ones in all this, and we will all fight every inch of the way for them.”

The Supporters’ Trust, which has more than a 20% shareholding of the football club, supported the decision and called on fans to get behind Monk and the players “in the battles ahead”.

Monk faces a baptism of fire, with Swansea gearing up for a February schedule of six games in 20 days — league appointments with Cardiff, Stoke and Liverpool, an FA Cup tie at Everton, plus home and away Europa League clashes against Napoli.