Garry Monk blames 'irresponsible agenda' for speculation over Swansea future

Garry Monk says speculation over his future as Swansea manager is being driven by an "agenda" outside of the club.

The 36-year-old has come under increasing pressure with the club having won only once in nine games and he accepted results must improve to stop himself coming under threat. 

However, Monk described reports ahead of the international break that he was about to get the sack as "irresponsible" and insisted his relationship with chairman Huw Jenkins was "fantastic". 

Asked whether he had taken what was described as a "crisis call" from Jenkins the day after Swansea's last game, a 1-0 defeat at Norwich on November 7, Monk said that was not the case.

"It's so wide of the truth it is unbelievable," said Monk.

"I've got a fantastic relationship with the chairman and he's very supportive of me, we speak all the time about football and then transfer windows.

"What you learn from management is that results are the be-all and end-all, and if you don't get them then that obviously creates pressure. But I've been disappointed with a lot of what's been written and I think a lot of it's been irresponsible.

"People are trying to take things out of context and have an agenda behind it. But if you spent the whole time worrying about those things you wouldn't do your job. I can only worry about what is said in the walls of Swansea City with my players, staff and the club as a whole."

Monk also insisted he does not view Saturday's clash with Bournemouth as a must-win game in terms of his employment prospects.

"I don't have to speak to anyone to understand my situation," Monk added. "You have to get results and if you don't do that your job comes under threat.

"I don't need anyone to tell me that and no-one has told me that. I'm fully aware how important the game is, but I'll let other people say whether it is [must-win] or not."

Monk confirmed French players Bafetimbi Gomis and Franck Tabanou, as well as Ghana striker Andre Ayew, who was born and has spent most of his career in France, were in the right frame of mind to feature on Saturday following last weekend's terrorist attacks in Paris.

And he also insisted his assistant Pep Clotet was staying at Swansea, despite the Spaniard being heavily linked with the manager's job at Sky Bet Championship club Brentford.

"I wasn't surprised when the speculation came out because the calibre of coach Pep is," Monk said. "I know he's fully committed to his job and this club as much as I am, and our only focus is having another strong season at Swansea."