Each year, every club dreams of the successes they could enjoy over the next season, especially after the fixtures have been released and transfers have already began to take place. Swansea City will have high hopes already for next season, despite it still being some way from the beginning of the campaign after some exciting early business both off and on the pitch. Last season, they achieved their highest finish in the Premier League and their highest points total, which has given Garry Monk and his side a platform to push on over the next few years. The Swans have secured themselves as a Premier League outfit since their promotion in 2011, and they can now push on and become a consistent top ten side.
Swansea should be the model club for teams coming up from the Championship with their managerial appointment strategy and their player recruitment both being excellent. These two strengths allow the club to build for the future and put a long term strategy into place which they have done. The appointment of Monk was seen by a risk by many, given his lack of experience, but the club board knew that the former player would instill Swansea principles on the side and he has been a complete success since taking the role.
Meanwhile the club’s recruitment has been faultless since they were promoted under Brendan Rodgers with Wilfried Bony being the biggest success with the club making a £13m profit which could rise in years to come. The club’s scouting network is one of the best at spotting bargains across Europe with Michu costing just £2m and scoring 18 goals in his first season. For a club like Swansea, the coaching staff and scouts are the key ingredients to having a successful side and they have the balance just right as shown by their incredible rise up the Premier League.
This summer has already showed signs of the Welsh club building even further with James Beattie and Tony Roberts joining the coaching staff, showing the club’s willingness to surround Monk with talented people which takes the pressure off the manager to an extent. Beattie is a young talented coach, who has already had experience being a manager at Accrington Stanley. His experience as a player both internationally and in the Premier League will be very valuable going forward for Swansea. Meanwhile Roberts comes in as a very well respected and experienced coach who has been a member of Arsenal’s coaching staff for a long time. Although these appointments may be overlooked by some, they show Swansea’s ambition to get the best people they can in every position at the club.
The Swans have already added two players to their squad ahead of pre season, which will get underway within the next few weeks. Andre Ayew is a big signing as the winger has attracted interest from the biggest Premier League clubs for a number of years. Swansea have a solid reputation in France as showed last summer when in demand Bafetimbi Gomis joined the club and it is evident once again with the signing of Ayew. The Ghanaian has had interest from Champions League clubs in the past, making it a coup for Garry Monk early on in the summer, while having a player with his quality will be a boost for the entire squad. Meanwhile Franck Tabanou has also joined the club, which will only enhance the club’s reputation in France which is a positive going forward as the club attempts to make an impression in Europe.
The future is bright for Swansea with the squad looking good and Garry Monk looking like one of the best young coaches in the country. The club still have a long way to go, but it is run efficiently and other clubs could learn a lot from the way they do things.