Ashley Williams says he has 'lost a mate' after Garry Monk sacking

Swansea City skipper Ashley Williams saw a working relationship of more than seven years come to an end with the recent firing of Garry Monk, but says he also "lost a mate" in the sacking.

A run of just one win in 11 Premier League outings spelled an end to Monk's reign, but he is not solely culpable for the Swans' struggles.

"It's been even more difficult than a normal kind of situation because he's a mate - you feel like you have let him down," Williams told BBC Radio 5. "Then he goes so you have lost a mate that you see every day. It's just tough really."

Under Monk's management, the club earned its highest-ever league finish of eighth last term, and also rose from the fourth tier to the Premier League during his playing days in South Wales. It has been an era of success for Swansea, so these recent tough times are somewhat unfamiliar.

"No football player likes to go through this situation - it's even worse because we haven't found ourselves like this for such a long time.

"You get used to doing well and it's a shock at times like this."

Swansea chairman Huw Jenkins is still on the hunt for Monk's successor, with former Marseille boss Marcelo Bielsa emerging as a candidate, but it is likely that interim manager and club legend Alan Curtis will again oversee proceedings for the visit of West Ham on Sunday.