All good things come to an end...

Garry Monk is no longer the manager of Swansea City, after being sacked on Wednesday afternoon.

When he took over in February 2014, after the moody departure of Michael Laudrup, Monk set the bar very high with his first game in charge - an exceptional victory against Cardiff City at the Liberty Stadium.

But it was a bar he could reach time and again - outplaying Napoli soon after, then going on to guide the Swans to Premier League survival after an uncertain season.

The following year is where he shone, takin the club to an eighth place finish with a club record 56 points, doing the double over Manchester United and Arsenal in the process. Sensational.

So this season, everyone asked the question: what next for Swansea?

Top four finish, obviously, then maybe a stab at the Champions League trophy next season. Especially after the incredible August we had, beating United (again) and drawing with the champions.

But no.

August proved to be the only good month this season and thing went downhill soon after - one win in 11 league games, six points from a possible 33. Goals scored to conceded ratio well out of kilter, and the style of play was… just ugly.

Fans were torn - how could they call for Monk’s head after the season just gone? But some did and, as the games went on, so did more.

Of course, the current squad need to have a long hard look at themselves - Monk was clearly not the only party to blame.

Like any manger, he can only set the team up with tactics and plans, but it’s up to the eleven on the pitch to execute them. And consistently they didn’t.

So again, like any manager, Monk had to take the blame. The squad were clearly not playing for him any more, he may have ‘lost the dressing room’ and ultimately had to go.

But there is the argument that he is a young manager and a bad spell may have given him some much needed experience. Let him get into a relegation scrap and fight his way out. There are other teams much worse than Swansea in the Premier League, and surely the Swans could start turning things around?

However, the promise of mega riches for clubs in the top flight next season thanks to the new TV deal meant everyone at board level would be very nervous about a relegation scrap - it wouldn’t have been worth the risk.

Any other season and Monk may well have been given a bit more time. But this year, every point will count. Relegation would be a disaster.

But has the damage already been done for Swansea this season?

No - I don’t think so.

The club sit 15th in the table. Providing an experienced man comes in, is given a bit of time to settle, is given some funds to play with in the upcoming transfer window, and is backed by the fans, I can’t see Swansea relegated. A mid-table finish is still well on the cards.

As for Garry Monk, his managerial career has taken a big stumble. It would be interesting to see where he ends up.

It won’t be in the Premier League, but he has top flight experience now and could probably do a good job with a League One or Championship side. Lest we forget, he did deliver a record breaking season for Swansea last year.

He will find another job, and he will build his career in management undoubtedly.

But it is a sad way for his Swans career to end.

Eleven years, more than 200 games played, four tiers of the football league, club captain, and - at times - a damn good manager.

Garry Monk - YJB.