Garry Monk has admitted that his sacking as manager of Swansea City has left him feeling "great sadness" following a 12-year association with the club.
The 36-year-old was shown the Liberty Stadium exit on Wednesday afternoon after drawn-out speculation over his future eventually came to an end.
A run of one win in 11 games, leaving the Swans just a point above the drop zone, forced chairman Huw Jenkins to take decisive action and swing the axe.
"It's with great sadness that I am leaving this special club," Monk said in a statement released via the League Managers' Association. "Over the last 12 years I have been part of the Swansea City family. It has been both an honour and a privilege to play for and manage this club.
"I believe that whenever you join a football club, the supporters deserve your blood, sweat and tears. I can say for sure I gave all those things and more. Everyone at the club from myself, my staff and the players themselves have been working tirelessly to change this loss of form, but unfortunately have not been able to in satisfactory time.
"I feel truly proud of all we've done during my 22 months in charge. I would have liked to continue because I strongly believe we would have come through this period together and stronger but I will now use my time to reflect and improve, ready for my next challenge. I would like to finish by thanking Huw Jenkins and the board of directors for giving me the opportunity to manage this remarkable club and for their support throughout the whole of my journey at Swansea City."
Alan Curtis is expected to take caretaker charge of Swansea at the weekend for the trip to Manchester City, while Avram Grant has emerged as a surprise leading candidate to succeed Monk on a permanent basis.
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