By Paul Jones
Garry Monk has revealed he had to bide his time before getting back on the management horse – in order to find something he thinks won’t turn into a bucking bronco.
The former Swansea City manager and captain has taken charge at Cambridge United, three-and-half years after his last job at Sheffield Wednesday.
Monk’s spell in Yorkshire was his fifth club in as many years, a wild ride that might have put off some from ever climbing back on board.
But after taking over from former Cardiff City manager Neil Harris at League One strugglers Cambridge, the one-time Swans skipper – who left Wales in 2015 – insisted his current set-up offered the priceless attraction of calm.
Welcoming Garry Monk, the new Head Coach of Cambridge United.
— Cambridge United FC (@CambridgeUtdFC) March 4, 2024
Harris left to rejoin Millwall, rather than because the owners got rid of him and Monk says: “What I was really conscious about was trying to find an opportunity, something that has got a bit of stability within the ownership.
“Here, they have a plan in their mind of where they want to go, and a realistic plan as well.
“That’s very difficult to find in the landscape of football now. That’s been part of the reason why it’s been quite a while, but this came along and it married up to what I was thinking and what I was looking for.
“That’s what really sold it to me and got me motivated to be sitting here today.
“A situation like Cambridge is probably the rarity in football – that used to be common, but now it’s kind of switched around.”
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Monk made 270 appearances for Swansea over 11 years, becoming player-manager in February 2014 following the sacking of Michael Laudrup.
He kept the Swans in the Premier League that season, before guiding them to an eighth place finish in 2015.
But it unraveled the following season and he was dismissed after a run of one win in 11 matches in December 2016.
After leaving the Swans, Monk burned his way through Leeds United, Middlesbrough and Birmingham City, before Sheffield Wednesday.
The longest period he spent between jobs was six months, but at 44 he has taken some time to reflect before jumping back in.
“We all know the landscape of football, we’re all very well versed in the ups and downs of football.
“That stability in the ownership here and their thought process really resonated with me.
“And obviously, analysing the squad – I know the situation they’re in at the moment – but across the majority of the ownership’s time the squad has been in a good place.
“They’re making progression on and off the pitch at a steady pace and that appealed.”
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Cambridge are currently 19th in League One, four points above the relegation zone, but the backdrop is that they are on the slide, having lost their last four matches.
Two of the clubs in the drop zone – Cheltenham Town and Port Vale – also have a game in hand.
Monk adds: “We all know that results are king and we’re very driven to get results, but having that knowledge behind you that there’s some sort of stability and clear thinking gives you the confidence to go and do your job well.”
Monk’s opening game as Cambridge manager will be at home to Northampton Town on Saturday.
Cambridge Owner Paul Barry said of Monk, “He is a coach of high pedigree, has managed at the top level and impressed us all with his leadership skills, clarity of thinking and his analysis of Cambridge United – both the squad and the club.
“Although he has had opportunities to get back into the game over recent times, he has been waiting for the right one.
“Like us, he sees this as a project and we are pleased he has decided to join us on the journey ahead.”
“We do, of course, all recognise that there is the immediate challenge of securing our League One future after what has been a difficult period for everyone at the club, following Neil Harris’ unexpected and sudden departure.
“In many ways the season starts now. We have 11 games to go.
“We know what we need to do and we know that it will require a collective team effort with everyone playing their part in helping us get over the line – players, staff and fans.”
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