Thursday 14 April 2016 18:13, UK
Swansea manager Francesco Guidolin has confirmed he has discussed his future at the club with chairman Huw Jenkins in the wake of a possible takeover by American investors.
Guidolin has all-but ensured the Swans' Premier League survival after he became the club's permanent boss after Garry Monk was sacked and Alan Curtis had a brief tenure in temporary charge.
That led to Jenkins praising his manager's achievements and the progress he has made at the Liberty Stadium.
Swansea could still have a say in who gets relegated this season though, as they play second-bottom Newcastle at St James' Park on Saturday.
"I am happy to hear the chairman endorse my work. I am proud. I spoke with the chairman. We spoke about the future," said Guidolin.
"Nothing is decided but we are talking about many things; players, instructors, pre-season, staff. And I confirm to him I prefer to stay here if possible. Now I am waiting for his decision. But I am happy at the moment.
"It's only a good conversation between us, but nothing is decided. I hope to have the possibility to stay."
The Italian has also received some welcome news on the pitch, after experienced defender Leon Britton was passed fit for the trip to Tyneside.
"Leon is available. No one is injured and I have the possibility to choose the players for Saturday," he added.
Guidolin also took time to praise Newcastle boss Rafa Benitez, and also commented on midfielder Jonjo Shelvey's decision to join the Magpies during the January transfer window.
"I am not surprised Rafa is there. Newcastle are a big club and I consider him an important manager," he said.
"I know him, he is a good person, and I hope for him that Newcastle stay in the Premier League. Saturday is for them an important match but I hope to see my team play like last Saturday [a 1-0 win over Chelsea].
"I don't know Shelvey. I can say that it is difficult, the winter market, to choose the best option. I don't know why he went to Newcastle. But I think his choice was to play with a big club.
"It's not easy when the season has already started. Sometimes it is a good choice, sometimes no. It depends."
Despite Swansea's top-flight survival appearing to be guaranteed, Guidolin insists he is still pushing his players to put in some impressive performances in the final five games of the season.
"Forty points could be enough to be safe but we hope to beat the 42 points. That's the next target and I hope to see my team play well and look up if possible," he said.
Nothing is decided but we are talking about many things and I confirmed to him I prefer to stay here if possible. Now I am waiting for his decision.
"Forty is not enough for me and my players. We have five more finals and Saturday is the first.
"When I arrived the situation was not good, but now it is better. For the first time this season I can look ahead and not behind, and this is important.
"It is difficult to finish in the top-10 because teams have many games in hand and there are more important teams above us. But the most important thing is to think match-by-match. We are focused for Saturday against Newcastle."
