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.
รขโฌลI have always been patriotic, a massive supporter of England and grew up watching all of it,รขโฌย said the Swans boss
รขโฌลIt has to be the ultimate job, doesnรขโฌโขt 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.
รขโฌลBut right now it is concentrating on club football, trying to do well. the problem at this level is it can change so quickly.รขโฌย
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
รขโฌลThe pressure is so much higher and hopefully it doesnรขโฌโขt happen but I think with youรขโฌโขll see that those game periods youรขโฌโขre given get shorter. Itรขโฌโขs already short as it is but itรขโฌโขll be even shorter.
รขโฌลYou hope boards arenรขโฌโขt trigger-happy, but unfortunately these days they can be. Iรขโฌโขm lucky Iรขโฌโขve got a good relationship, but thatรขโฌโขs no guarantee either รขโฌโ because of the money.
รขโฌลLetรขโฌโขs not beat about the bush – thatรขโฌโขs a fact. Outside the top six or seven the importance is be in this league and receive that money to build. Itรขโฌโขs paramount for every club.
รขโฌลItรขโฌโขll be more competitive all over – top, bottom and middle. Chelsea set the standard with last year. Theyรขโฌโขve not made big transitions in the squad – itรขโฌโขs a good way of working.รขโฌย
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