LONDON, December 10- Swansea have “reluctantly” taken the decision to part company with manager Garry Monk after a disappointing run of results over the past three months.
The former Swans centre-back was handed the reins at the Liberty Stadium in February 2014 following the sacking of Michael Laudrup and saved the club from relegation.
Much was expected of Monk this season after he guided the South Wales outfit to an eighth-place finish in the Premier League last term, their highest-ever placing and points total.
But despite making a promising start to the new campaign, which included a 2-2 draw with Chelsea on the opening day and a 2-1 victory over Manchester United, the Swans have struggled to replicate their previous good form.
A 3-0 defeat to league leaders Leicester on Saturday left Monk’s side without a win in their last five games, and the hierarchy have acted by removing the 36-year-old from his post.
Swansea chairman Huw Jenkins told the club’s official website: “The decision has been made very reluctantly and with a heavy heart.
“To find ourselves in our current situation from where we were in the first week of September, and considering the drop of performance levels and run of results over the last three months, it has brought us to this unfortunate decision today.
“Garry took on the job 22 months ago with the backing of everyone at the club. And when you take into account the excellent campaign we had last season when we broke all club records in the Premier League, nobody foresaw the position we would be in at this moment in time.
“Bearing that in mind and the current uncertainty around the club, we felt the situation needed clarity to move forward. It was not a decision we took lightly, especially given Garry’s history and standing within the club.
“And it goes without saying that we wish Garry all the very best for the future and thank him for his tremendous service, not only as a player over the last decade, but also as our manager.
“He will always have a warm welcome at this football club. We hope to appoint a replacement as soon as possible.”