Newcastle's Next Opponents: Everything You Need To Know About Swansea

Manager - Garry Monk

The ex-Swansea City defender was appointed as interim player-manager after the sacking of Michael Laudrup in February 2014. Then, after the 2013-14 season ended, Monk retired to focus on his now-permanent role as manager- and since he has gone from strength to strength. Monk played for Swansea for a decade and, in that time, saw the club rise from League Two in his first season to finally achieving Premier League status. Spending such a long period of time around the likes of Roberto Martinez, Brendan Rodgers and Laudrup, Monk has combined his on-field leadership from his time as a centre-back with the footballing culture of Swansea - whereby managers are encouraged to play progressive, attacking football. This has created a team that is stern in defence but can flow forward and create problems with a combination of pace and trickery and excellent passing. Monk led the club to its highest-ever Premier League finish in his first full season at the Liberty Stadium and he is an extremely promising, if still slightly under-the-radar, managerial talent. If he can build on last season, the signs in south Wales are very encouraging for the future.