Monk Wants To Be England Boss

The Swans boss though is focused very much on the job in hand of the coming season as he puts the very final touches to his preparation for the new season that starts tomorrow at Chelsea.

And it has been a pretty good time for the man who was the surprise choice of the Swans to replace Michael Laudrup when the Swans and the Dane parted company in February last year.

This time last year, the Swans were being written off by many experts under their rookie manager but this time around he is recognised for the brilliant job that he is doing.

“I have always been patriotic, a massive supporter of England and grew up watching all of it,” said the Swans boss

“It has to be the ultimate job, doesn’t it? Representing your country would be an honour for anyone, and you see the players and managers who have done it over the years and the regard they are held in – then of course it is.

“But right now it is concentrating on club football, trying to do well. the problem at this level is it can change so quickly.”

Monk though has spoken all summer about how big this coming season is. Next season sees a massive step up in the amount of TV money available to the Premier League clubs and that will bring a new kind of pressure on the twenty managers who will lead their sides into the season tomorrow.

You usually see a fair percentage of these sacked in a normal season but Monk is aware that could be worse this time around

“The pressure is so much higher and hopefully it doesn’t happen but I think with you’ll see that those game periods you’re given get shorter. It’s already short as it is but it’ll be even shorter.

“You hope boards aren’t trigger-happy, but unfortunately these days they can be. I’m lucky I’ve got a good relationship, but that’s no guarantee either — because of the money.

“Let’s not beat about the bush – that’s a fact. Outside the top six or seven the importance is be in this league and receive that money to build. It’s paramount for every club.

“It’ll be more competitive all over – top, bottom and middle. Chelsea set the standard with last year. They’ve not made big transitions in the squad – it’s a good way of working.”

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