Swansea City have parted ways with manager Michael Laudrup, and have installed captain Garry Monk as head coach for the foreseeable future who will work alongside current first team coach Alan Curtis.

Despite defeating Manchester United in the FA Cup Third Round and qualifying for the knockout stages of the Europa League where the Swans will play Napoli, Swansea sit in 12th position in the Premier League, two points off the relegation drop zone.

Matters came to a head this past weekend after Swansea lost 2-0 against West Ham United in a relegation scrap at Upton Park in a performance that was Swansea’s worst of the season. Swansea have only won one of their last 10 matches, and the tension was beginning to mount.

Swansea City chairman Huw Jenkins said:

“It is a decision we have taken reluctantly. But it’s a decision made in the best interests of Swansea City Football Club and our supporters.

“It is the first time in nearly 10 years that the club has parted with a manager in this way, but we had to remove the constant uncertainty surrounding the club and Michael’s long-term future with us.

“I had a meeting with Michael today in a final attempt to support him and establish a way to improve the work of the back room team to secure the results we need over the final 14 Premier League games.

“However, after thinking long and hard about the best way forward, I felt it was unlikely we would achieve a stable environment at the club to allow us to get back to basics and produce the performance levels that have served Swansea City so well over the last few years.

“Now we need to put that uncertainty behind us and move forward as a united football club on all fronts, while placing on record our gratitude to Michael for the work he has done over the last 18 months and wish him well for the future.

“I hope all our supporters can fully understand how difficult this period has been for us and I would urge everyone connected to the football club to get behind Garry Monk, the staff and players.’’

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