Clement ready for "massive challenge"

New Swansea City manager Paul Clement admits he faces "a massive challenge" to keep the club in the Premier League.

The 44-year-old leaves his role as Bayern Munich assistant manager to become the Swans' third boss of the season, following the ill-fated tenures of Bob Bradley and Francesco Guidolin.

The former Derby County manager takes over with Swansea bottom of the Premier League, four points off safety at the midway point of the season, with just 12 points from 19 matches.

Clement was sacked by Derby in February 2016 after a run of seven league games without a win, and then joined up with Carlo Ancelotti in Munich in June.

He had also been Ancelotti's assistant boss at Chelsea, Paris St-Germain and Real Madrid.

"There's no other way to put it, but challenges are exciting and that's why I came here," Clement told the club's official website.

"I could have stayed at Bayern as an assistant, but I've chosen to come into a very challenging situation. It excites me to do that and that's the attitude I want the players to have.

"It's a big task, but I think it can be done."

Clement, who will watch Tuesday night's relegation six-pointer against Crystal Palace from the Selhurst Park stands, says has already spoken to owners Jason Levien and Steve Kaplan about potential transfer targets this month.

"We are looking at the potential of adding to the squad in the transfer window. I've discussed that with the owners already," he said.

"But before that I quickly need to look at the players already here and get them playing up to or close to their potential - and get some good results."

Photo (Getty Images/Clive Rose)

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