Swansea boss Francesco Guidolin not concerned by Brendan Rodgers rumours
Thursday 31 March 2016 19:17, UK
Francesco Guidolin wants to stay at Swansea next season and says he is not worried about speculation linking former manager Brendan Rodgers with a possible return to the club.
The Italian has masterminded a Swans revival and led them away from Premier League relegation danger since he arrived at the Liberty Stadium in January. They currently sit 10 points clear of Sunderland in 18th place.
However, some reports have suggested that Rodgers, who left Swansea in 2012 after two successful years at the club, is being lined up for a summer appointment which would see him return to top flight management after leaving Liverpool last October.
Asked about the Rodgers rumours, Guidolin said: "I do not feel uncomfortable. It is no problem; I am focused on my job.
"If I can work here in the future, I will be very happy. I am proud and happy to be here, but I do not know what the future holds. I can say that the most important thing is Swansea being safe, and afterwards we will see.
"We will have talks in the summer, but my job is to help the team right now. I would like to stay, for sure, but it is not important now. We can speak about it another moment, because this moment is the most important thing, helping this club.
"I like this area. I like Swansea, living in a smaller city by the seaside. I like this lifestyle, and I like the Premier League.
"In the future, it would be easier for me as my grasp of the language is getting better and I like the United Kingdom. There is a different atmosphere between Italy and here, and if it is possible, I prefer to stay here."
Swansea travel to eighth-placed Stoke on Saturday, with Guidolin confirming that striker Andre Ayew will miss the Britannia Stadium clash due to an ankle injury, while Jefferson Montero and Modou Barrow will train with the squad on Friday after returning from international duty.
"He [Ayew] is not fit," Guidolin added. "He is getting better, but is not ready for Saturday. He could be ready for the game against Chelsea.
"It has not been an easy period with so many players away at many games. It is not easy for a club manager because many players are away in many different places.
"Montero and Barrow, I have not seen them yet. They train tomorrow morning, and then we have a match on Saturday. It is not an easy moment, but it is like this for all clubs."
