Swansea v Cardiff: Garry Monk demands pride and passion ahead of south Wales derby in his first match in charge
Monk takes over the reins after Michael Laudrup was sacked in midweek after securing just one win in 10 games
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Your support makes all the difference.Head coach Garry Monk will demand pride and passion when he sends his Swansea side out for Saturday's south Wales derby against Cardiff.
Monk, 34, will take charge of the Swans for the first time following the sacking of Michael Laudrup in midweek.
The Liberty Stadium meeting is a real baptism of fire for veteran defender Monk, who has played for the club in all four divisions of the league pyramid.
Laudrup's dismissal came in the wake of a meek surrender against West Ham last weekend, and Monk is keen to ensure there is no repeat with Cardiff looking to become the first side to do the league double in the fixture.
"In a derby I expect passion and pride," said Monk.
"All I care about is that we put a performance on and whatever the result, the players can be proud, the crowd can be proud and we know that we've given our all. That's all I can ask for.
"I watched the West Ham game and I can't make stuff up. It wasn't great at all was it?
"The club have now made the decision they have and I have to put my own personality into it now.
"People don't only lose their jobs for bad things, sometimes they are doing good things as well. Look at Southampton and Nigel Adkins - sometimes a club just want a change of direction."
Monk is in charge for the "foreseeable future" and has long been viewed by the Swansea hierarchy as a man well-suited to taking a coaching role once his playing days were over.
The move may have come sooner than anticipated but, even with the likes of Graeme Jones and Glenn Hoddle being linked with Swansea, Monk has made it clear he wants the job in the long-term.
"I would hope it is my job to lose," he said. "My view has always been for years that I would love to go onto the coaching staff here, or do something at the club, and the ultimate aim would be to manage the club one day.
"The club know that, the fans know that, I'm not saying anything new. I guess you just don't know when that opportunity comes.
Monk, who has received messages of support from former managers Roberto Martinez and Brendan Rodgers, is in the process of completing his UEFA 'A' licence, and revealed the club will move quickly for him to get started on the required Pro Licence course.
He said: "That's the legal side of it, the club secretary is checking that. I'm already on my 'A' licence and at the end of that process, so that's good in terms of timing.
"Obviously with the 'Pro' licence there are special rules you have to adhere to to get on it and do it but obviously we have a close relationship with the Football Association of Wales.
"That's who I've been doing my 'B' and 'A' licence with, I'll speak to them and hopefully we'll be able to sort something out."
PA
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