London (AFP) – Swansea City head coach Francesco Guidolin has signed a new two-year contract following a successful short-term stint at the helm, the Premier League club announced on Wednesday.

The experienced 60-year-old Italian succeeded the sacked Garry Monk in January, with Swansea just two points above the relegation zone, and successfully steered the Welsh club to safety.

Ahead of their final game of the season at home to Manchester City on Sunday, Swansea are 11th in the table, 12 points clear of the bottom three, and could finish as high as ninth.

“I’m pleased to confirm that we have reached an agreement with Francesco on a new two-year contract,” Swansea chairman Huw Jenkins said in a statement on the Swansea website.

“Francesco fully deserves the chance to continue his good work into the new campaign. He was prepared to come into the club at such a difficult time and put himself in a pressure situation with the club fighting for survival.

“He has achieved the goal of securing top-flight football for this club with plenty to spare and has earned the right to start afresh next season.”

Prior to arriving at the Liberty Stadium, Guidolin had primarily worked in Italy, notably coaching Bologna, Palermo, Parma and Udinese. He also spent a season in charge at Monaco.

His new deal was ratified at a Swansea board meeting on Wednesday. His Italian back-room coaches, Gabriele Ambrosetti and Diego Bortoluzzi, have also been offered new contracts.