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Cambridge appoint ex-Swansea, Leeds, Middlesbrough, Birmingham, Sheff Wed manager

Cambridge United surprise fans by deciding to appoint ex-Swansea, Leeds, Middlesbrough, Birmingham, Sheff Wed manager Garry Monk.

The 44 year old has been named as the U’s third Head Coach this season, having seen the likes of Mark Bonner and Neil Harris depart.

Cambridge currently sit 19th in the League One standings with 38 points from 35 games played, four points above the drop zone.

CLUB STATEMENT:

Garry Monk was today appointed the new Head Coach of Cambridge United on a two-year deal until the summer of 2026…

The 44-year-old is best known for his time at Swansea City, where he played for over 10 years before becoming Manager, helping initially stave off relegation as interim player-manager, before recording an 8th place Premier League finish in his only full season in charge.

Jobs at Leeds United, Middlesbrough, Birmingham City and Sheffield Wednesday followed, prior to taking a break from the game in November 2020.

He now joins Cambridge United following a detailed recruitment process after the departure of Neil Harris to Millwall last month.

Paul Barry, Majority Owner, said, “We are very pleased to welcome Garry as our next Head Coach. This follows a thorough process and three separate interviews with owners, board and senior staff from across the Club last week where Garry emerged as our unanimous choice.

“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 eleven 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. So let’s attack these next two months, get behind Garry and the team and get the Abbey rocking on Saturday.

“Finally, a big thank you to Barry and all the coaching staff. It’s undoubtedly been a tough two weeks that no one could have anticipated or planned for, but they have been a credit to the Club in the way they have conducted themselves and lead the team with both professionalism and integrity.”

Garry will speak to the media this afternoon (Monday 4 March) ahead of his first day with the squad.

MONK’S CAREER:

Player:

Youth career
–1995 – Torquay United

Senior career
1995–1996 – Torquay United – 5 games (0 goals)
1996–2004 – Southampton – 13 games (0 goals)
1998 → Torquay United (loan) – 6 games (0 goals)
1999 → Stockport County (loan) – 4 games (0 goals)
2001 → Oxford United (loan) – 5 games (0 goals)
2002–2003 → Sheffield Wednesday (loan) – 15 games (0 goals)
2003–2004 → Barnsley – 21 games (1 goals)
2004–2014 Swansea City – 270 games (7 goals)
Total – 339 games (8 goals)

Manager
Swansea City – 4 Feb 2014 until 9 Dec 2015 – G77 – W28 – D17 – L32 – WIN% 36.4
Leeds United – 2 Jun 2016 until 25 May 2017 – G53 – W25 – D11 – L17 – WIN% 47.2
Middlesbrough – 9 Jun 2017 until 23 Dec 2017 – G26 – W12 – D5 – L9 – WIN% 46.2
Birmingham City – 4 Mar 2018 until 18 Jun 2019 – G59 – W19 – D20 – L20 – WIN% 32.2
Sheffield Wednesday – 6 Sep 2019 until 9 Nov 2020 – G58 – W18 – D15 – L25 – WIN% 31.0
Total – G273 – W102 – D68 – L103 – WIN% 37.4

Here’s how fans reacted as Cambridge appoint ex-Swansea, Leeds, Middlesbrough, Birmingham, Sheff Wed manager Garry Monk as their new boss…

@stevemilton: I like this. I imagine GM has a point to prove and managerial career to reboot. Nicely done

@JamesCollen9: Now it’s time to start

@thedugggs54: Good luck Gary

@Only1JackWilson: I’m surprised, but quite pleased with this. He’s had an interesting career, including a Premier League Manager of the Month award (August 2014) so it’ll be interesting to see what he can bring to the U’s. Welcome to the Abbey, Garry! #ComeOnCambridge #COYU #UIE 💛🖤⚽️

@borismineburg: Nice work board. That’ll do nicely 💛🖤

@Thetreecanopy: Could be an inspired appointment 😀

@JackToulson12: This is some appointment

@nathan3289: Like the look of this 💛🖤

@ConnorPond_4: Hahaha he’s definitely sending them down 😂😂

@fishcake555: Good luck Gary Monk at Cambridge United. Going to be a huge fight to keep United in #skybetleagueone but just need to get the players giving everything till the end of the season, and a few goals would help! #cufc #amberarmy

@cufc_dan: Really don’t know how to feel about this but will back him aslong as he’s here

@salopcast: That’s a surprise!

@alexcmfc: Let’s see which books he’ll cook on transfers this time. Let’s also hope the laptop doesn’t get “lost” at the end of it as well…

@ColBwfc: On paper, that’s a great appointment for a club like Cambridge United.

@Stueycufc: Don’t know what to make of this…been out the game for 4 years BUT done well at Swansea… although Leeds sheff weds not the best .. but they are big teams and comes with pressure, without that pressure be interesting see how he does.. first objective keep us in league one 👍

@tommowalkerrr: Will only be happy with our new managerial appointment if they refer to our remaining fixtures as “eleven cup finals” in their first interview

@ciaransell1806: No matter what you think of the appointment get behind the man and let’s push through till the end of the season 💛🖤

@Denton_james: If this was 2020, great appointment. It’s now 4 years later, has a lot to prove. Here’s hoping but I have a lot of doubts

@Jake___2003: Weird with him, did good jobs at Swansea and Leeds and then he’s just fallen off a cliff ever since

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