Swansea City are set to take on West Bromwich Albion in midweek as the club look to continue their attempt to avoid relegation, and Francesco Guidolin is firmly focused on the task at hand, not looking too far ahead to the future. 

The Italian is aware that Swansea's survival is crucial to him maintaining his position further than this season, something that is pushing him on even more to make sure that they stay up. 

As well as that though, Guidolin is driven by a desire to maintain his "dream" of managing in English football.

Dream job 

Guidolin spoke of his love for the English game and revealed the unlikely source that created his passion - Southampton legend, Mick Channon. Channon was the man that he "loved" to watch play during his youth, despite the likes of Bobby Charlton and Kevin Keegan playing during those years too. 

He admitted that he spent his "younger years" watching English football, hence why working in the division is a dream come true for him. Even after leaving his previous job with Udinese, Guidolin "preferred" to watch the Premier League over Italian football. 

It was Mick Channon who Guidolin looked up to as a youngster. | Photo: Express
It was Mick Channon who Guidolin looked up to as a youngster. | Photo: Express

Now, he has the chance to finally work in the country he has been hoping to ever since he was a young boy, and it's an opportunity he is relishing. After victory in his first game in charge with Everton, he will look for Swansea to continue improving against West Brom on Tuesday - who were held to a frustrating draw in their FA Cup tie with third tier side Peterborough United over the weekend. 

Even though he is desperate to stay at Swansea beyond this season, Guidolin insists the "priority" is ensuring survival. A victory over the Baggies would see them jump ahead of Tony Pulis' side, and the new man in charge is "confident" that he can guide the club to safety.

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About the author
Matthew Wilkinson
Huddersfield University in Sports Journalism. Twitter- MC_Wilkinson1