Planet Swans ArchivesKenny Jackett has opened his heart in today’s Sunday newspapers with a frank interview of what he wants from his career – the Premiership with Swansea City followed by the Welsh job. Easy, Easy? Well, not really but Jackett explains why he thinks the Swans could make it in the Premiership by comparing us to both Charlton and Bolton with an almost famous in folklore line of “I see no reason why we can’t be bigger than Bolton.”!
Jackett was speaking in today’s News of the World and says “Ask me what I see as being the pinnacle of my managerial career and I’ll say taking Swansea into the Premiership and eventually managing Wales. To get mentioned in international terms must mean that you have been very successful as a club boss. I feel managing a nation suits a man in his mid-fifties.
“As a younger manager I now want to be involved in the day-to-day affairs of a club. At my age, the smaller number of international games in a season wouldn’t come around quickly enough.
“If I had 10-15 years experience at a club, I think a national job would suit me. If I can look after my short and medium-term future and then get mentioned for Wales I’d consider that to be a huge compliment.
“I see no reason why Swansea City can’t be a Premiership Club. There are strides to be taken before we reach that standard but there is no limit in terms of potential for Swansea. Our new stadium is the vehicle to progress.
“There are two clubs we can use as role models. I recall Charlton playing in the lower leagues under Lennie Lawrence. They didn’t have a home ground at one time. The Valley was overgrown, the club played at Selhurst Park and had crowds of 6,000-7,000.
“Charlton enjoyed evolution. They built up gradually over a period and became the Premiership outfit they are today with average gates over 25,000. Bolton are another example. They have survived and flourished in competition with Manchester United and City. I see no treason why we can’t be bigger than Bolton.
“If we are holding a top six spot down in the New Year I might just start conceding we are genuine contenders to go up. We are proving to be the passing side I always knew we were.”
