Gary Monk can look forward after Swansea City remove ‘interim’ tag

After three months in caretaker charge following the dismissal of Michael Laudrup, the 35-year-old Monk can now look to plan for the longer term having signed a three-year contract.

Swansea City have rewarded manager Garry Monk for keeping the side in the Premier League by naming him as their permanent manager on a three-year deal, the club said on May 7, 2014.  EPA/PETER POWELL
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Garry Monk’s first job as permanent manager of Swansea City will be to stamp his authority on the squad to take the club forward.

After three months in caretaker charge following the dismissal of Michael Laudrup, Monk, 35, can now look to plan for the longer term having signed a three-year contract.

He has been rewarded for securing the club’s Premier League status for another season.

Monk, who has been at the club for a decade as a player, is confident he can take the Swans in the right direction after concerns over Laudrup’s leadership led to the Dane being dismissed in early February.

“It is the proudest moment of my career. I’m honoured the club thinks so highly of me to give me this chance,” he told Swansea City’s website.

“It’s the opportunity of a lifetime – and one I fully intend to take. I have had a taste of the job for the last three months and it’s something I’ve really enjoyed.

“Now I’m really looking forward to the next phase in my life and the club’s progression.

“I’ll be looking to stamp my authority on the squad and the club – and take it forward.”

Monk had a difficult start to his fledgling managerial career as, after winning the south Wales derby against Cardiff in his first game, his team then took three points from his next six matches.

With the side threatened by relegation a 3-0 victory over fellow strugglers Norwich came just at the right time and further wins over Newcastle and Aston Villa ensured they were safe.

“As a board of directors we carefully considered our next step because it was a very important decision for our football club,” chairman Huw Jenkins said.

“But having gone through that process we unanimously agreed that the timing was right for Garry to be offered the job on a permanent basis.

“As we look forward to our fourth season in the Premier League we all agreed that we needed to get back to basics and reinforce the principles that have brought us success in recent years.

“Garry represents all the strong values we hold so dearly as a football club and everyone is looking forward to working with him.

“We have all been impressed with his work-rate and commitment since taking over the reins in February and how he adapted in very difficult circumstances to secure the points we needed to remain in the top-flight.

“Garry will work with the current staff to refocus and improve the playing squad over the summer to build a strong, competitive team for another big challenge that lies ahead next season.”

Everton manager Martinez willing to wait on Lukaku until after World Cup

Everton manager Roberto Martinez does not expect the future of on-loan striker Romelu Lukaku to be finalised until after the World Cup.

The Spaniard wants to get much of his summer transfer business done before the tournament starts in Brazil on June 12 but the situation with the Belgium international is likely to take longer than that to resolve.

Lukaku has scored 14 Premier League goals this season and Everton are likely to face competition from other clubs for his signature if Chelsea decide to sell.

A good World Cup could push up his value higher than the reported £20 million (Dh124.6m) price tag but Martinez would not wish poor form on the 20-year-old striker to keep his fee down.

We are too close to Romelu to hope he has a poor tournament. We hope he has a really good World Cup – and then decides to come to us,” Martinez told the Liverpool Echo.

Hull City’s Meyler will no be banned for FA Cup final

Hull City’s David Meyler will not be banned for the FA Cup final for his apparent stamp on Manchester United’s Adnan Januzaj after the English Football Association did not take action against the Irish midfielder.

Referee Craig Pawson told FA officials he was looking directly at the incident during Tuesday’s 3-1 win for United.

Under the rules allowing cases to be dealt with retrospectively, as the referee had a clear, unobstructed view it is not classed as the incident having not been seen by match officials.

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