Wednesday 11 May 2016 19:44, UK
Swansea head coach Francesco Guidolin has signed a new two-year contract.
The Italian joined the club in January when they were just two points above the relegation zone and has since guided them to 11th place in the Premier League.
A board meeting was held at the Liberty Stadium on Wednesday to discuss the 60-year-old's future and it has now been confirmed Guidolin will remain in the role.
The Italian members of Guidolin's backroom staff - Gabriele Ambrosetti and Diego Bortoluzzi - have also been offered new contracts.
"I'm pleased to confirm that we have reached an agreement with Francesco on a new two-year contract,'' chairman Huw Jenkins told Swansea's official website.
"Francesco fully deserves the chance to continue his good work into the new campaign. He was prepared to come into the club at such a difficult time and put himself in a pressure situation with the club fighting for survival.
"He has achieved the goal of securing top-flight football for this club with plenty to spare and has earned the right to start afresh next season.
"It's going to be another challenge for everyone, but we are looking forward to seeing how far he can take this squad of players over a full season.
"There has obviously been a lot of speculation over recent weeks about a possible change of manager, but the board has been impressed with the way he has quietly gone about the job of improving performances and results since January."
Jenkins later spoke to Sky Sports News HQ, where he explained further why the board felt Guidolin should be offered a new deal.
"The timing was right to make sure things are settling down well to make sure we can plan and get things right for the new season, to get Francesco signed up and to move things on," said Jenkins.
"We felt the clubs he worked for [in the past] were similar to Swansea. We are a smaller club in the Premier League challenging big clubs and he has done that well in Italy.
"We are looking forward to him having the full preparation of pre-season, to get everything prepared in the right way, and we can all look forward to the season ahead.
"There was a lot of speculation in the press as to whether we were talking to other managers.
"We had discussions, and Francesco is aware of that, but the decision to go down this route is the right one for the club."
Jenkins also confirmed US investors looking to buy the club had no input into Guidolin's appointment.
Guidolin said he was "honoured" to be given a new deal.
"It is an important day for me, and I am honoured to be given the chance to continue managing this wonderful club," he told Swansea's website.
"I came into the club at a difficult time, and it was my first experience of the Premier League. Now, I have the possibility to start my work at the beginning of a new season; something I'm excited about.
"I would like to thank my players first of all, plus the staff and our fans. It was very emotional for me to hear them sing my name after the game at West Ham, and I've had nothing but good wishes from everyone I've met on the streets of Swansea.
"The possibility for me to work with them and for them again is very important to me. It's an honour, and I am grateful to the chairman and the board for giving me this opportunity."
Swansea host Manchester City in their final match of the season on Saturday, when they will look to finish their campaign with three victories in a row, following their 3-1 win over Liverpool and Saturday's 4-1 victory against West Ham.
