Monk relishing maiden pre-season as a manager

2nd July

Swansea City boss Garry Monk insists he is relishing his first pre-season as a manager.
The Swans squad returned from their summer break on Wednesday as the countdown to the new Barclays Premier League season got underway.
But for Monk, who was named as the club's permanent boss back in April, it marks his first pre-season as a manager.
And the 35-year-old says he is really looking forward to the challenge that awaits him and his players.


"It's an exciting time," he said. "Pre-season is always hard because its where you build up your fitness and togetherness, but it is good to see all the boys come back looking well and we're all really looking forward to it.
"Hopefully all the boys had a good summer, they rested well and are ready to go again for the new season.
"The first few days will be the medical tests to see how the boys are physically, and then we can implement the football side after that which will include fitness training.
"I've done various pre-season programmes over the years with different managers and everyone has different ways of doing things.
"But it's a massive change and I'll go about my job how I think it should be done. If it means extra planning and extra work then so be it. 
The Swans squad fly out to America on Sunday for a two-week tour before returning the UK to play five friendly games.
Garry Monk's side will then turn their attention to the start of their fourth season in the Barclays Premier League that gets underway with a trip to Manchester United on August 16.
An the Swans boss believes the trip to the US will provide his players with the perfect preparation.
"We had a few options around Europe, but having looked at America I felt it was the right one to do and it should be a great trip," he said.
"We have training in the first week and games in the second, so it is implementing everything we need in pre-season."