Carvalhal coy on new contract

Swansea City boss Carlos Carvalhal has downplayed speculation he is set to sign a new deal with the Welsh side as he focuses on the Premier League relegation fight.

The 52-year-old replaced Paul Clement at the Liberty Stadium in December, with the Swans rooted to the bottom of the table, and has led the side out of the relegation zone by winning five of his 11 league games in charge.

Carvalhal has guided Swansea to 15th in the table, securing crucial victories against Watford, Liverpool, Arsenal, Burnley and West Ham, leading to speculation that he will see his deal extended.

However, the Portuguese is firmly focused on securing Swansea's top-flight status, as they sit just three points above the relegation zone, and does not want to talk about a renewal yet.

"I will answer the same, after Swansea stay in the Premier League," he told a news conference when asked about a potential new deal ahead of Saturday's game against West Brom.

"This is not a point where I want anyone losing focus. After we have time to talk about that.

"I talk with the chairman every week, we talk often about the past, present and future - these are normal things about how we are progressing.

"When I say that it is a normal conversation, I talk about those things here and we are not discussing a contract. Of course I have informal conversations but I don’t want to talk much about my situation - it is not a problem."

5 April 2018

Carvalhal did leave the door open for talks later in the year though, adding that he is happy in Wales.

"I am happy here, there is no problem," he said. "I like the players, the chairman, the owners, the fans. I like the fans, I think they like me so it is no problem."

Swansea travel to the Hawthorns to face West Brom, who are currently adrift at the foot of the table, as they get closer to welcoming Bayern Munich loanee Renato Sanches back to the club after an injury absence.

"He will be back next week in Swansea," Carvalhal revealed. 

"He is still in Munich at the moment. We are in contact with him and the doctor. We will see how long it is until he is ready to play."