Paul Clement says guiding Swansea to safety would be the best achievement in his career
Monday 8 May 2017 00:10, UK
Paul Clement says guiding Swansea to Premier League safety would be a bigger achievement for him than winning the Champions League.
The 45-year-old was Carlo Ancelotti's assistant at Real Madrid when the Spanish giants claimed their 10th European Cup in 2014, and was also the Italian's No 2 when Chelsea won the Premier League and FA Cup double in 2010.
However, Clement believes keeping Swansea, who were bottom of the Premier League with only 12 points when he took over in January, in the top flight would be the highlight of his career. The Swans moved out of the bottom three with Saturday's 1-0 victory over Everton.
"I've been in a very privileged position in the past to have worked with some fantastic teams and different players and got my hands on some unbelievable silverware," Clement said.
"But this will be the best by far if we manage to stay in this league, because I'm the one making the decisions.
"I'm the one in charge and because of the position when I came into this club. It was difficult for the supporters and for the players. I was the third coach in one season, so it will be a fantastic achievement if we do it."
Swansea have one point more than 18th-placed Hull heading into their final two rounds of fixtures.
Hull's next game is at Crystal Palace - who are not yet clear of relegation danger themselves - and they finish at home to Tottenham, while Swansea end at home to West Brom after a trip to Sunderland.
And if it does come down to the final day against West Brom, then Clement expects the home crowd to make a difference.
"I have been with Real Madrid when there has been 85,000 there, and it is not as loud as that [the Liberty Stadium] because they tend to sit and watch," Clement said.
"If they are happy they will cheer, and if they are not they will show that. But the noise our fans made, from all the ends, was unbelievable. That helps the players when they are tired and the tanks are running on empty."
After Hull's shock 2-0 home defeat to already-relegated Sunderland, Swansea maintained their recent run of form.
"We have picked up seven points from games against Stoke, Manchester United and Everton and that's a tough run," Clement said. "Now we go to Sunderland and I am glad they won. One because it helped us, but also because it shows we cannot underestimate them."
