Carlos Carvalhal wants to put smile on Swansea players' faces, but says 'I'm not a clown!'

By Joe Shread

Thursday 8 February 2018 19:57, UK

Swansea manager Carlos Carvalhal joked that he is "not a clown" despite trying to put a smile back on his players' faces.

Since taking over from Paul Clement, Carvalhal has guided Swansea out of the Premier League relegation zone as well as into the fifth round of the FA Cup after an 8-1 win over Notts County.

The former Sheffield Wednesday boss says providing an uplift to his players has been important, but not the only factor behind their improved form.

He said: "I don't work in the circus. I'm not a clown!

"You ask about motivation and atmosphere, and I answer it is everything together. I look to do things in the echo environment where things make sense if they are connected.

"Everything must be connected - the things you talk, the things you are feeling.

"If you are more open and can do a joke with a player it doesn't make another manager better than one that has a different profile.

"I don't think there is an ideal profile of a manager. The manager must have different faces depending on the situation you are living.

"When you have a lot of stress around your team the best thing is to try and put a smile on their faces. But I can't say this is the key - we have not achieved anything so far."