Garry Monk: Swansea should back or sack him - Tate

Garry Monk succeeded Michael Laudrup as Swansea boss in February 2014

Former Swansea City captain Alan Tate says the club should back or "get rid of" manager Garry Monk.

Swans chairman Huw Jenkins earlier stated "something needs to change" at the Premier League strugglers while ex-boss Brendan Rodgers has been linked with returning.

"I wish they'd either come out and back him or get rid of him," said Tate of his former team-mate.

Garry Monk and Alan Tate helped Swansea rise into the Premier League

"Either way, I think he'd rather know, rather than hanging on."

Monk, 36, led the Swans to eighth place last season, their highest Premier League finish in his first full campaign, having taken over in February 2014.

But Swansea have won only once in 11 top-flight games, which has left the boss in a precarious position.

Tate hopes the board give Monk more time to help turn around a season which has seen them fall to 15th in the table, one point above the relegation zone.

"He'll work harder than anyone and he'll be hurting because of these results," the Port Talbot Town defender, 33, said.

"The performances and the results haven't been there, but you just hope that he gets given a bit more time."

Tate says it would be impossible for the club to say Monk will see out the remainder of his three-year contract.

He also feels Swansea's players must collectively take responsibility for the club's plight.

"It's just unfortunate how results and performances have gone," added Tate.

"But that doesn't take away from the fact that Garry has been a good manager and he made good decisions last season.

"He made good decisions at the beginning of this season and it's just for some reason unravelled a little bit.

"But I'm sure if he got given the time, he could pull it back around."