By Paul Jones
Russell Martin has revealed he has yet to open any talks about extending his deal as head coach at Swansea City.
Martin has 20 months left on his contract after signing a three-year deal when he succeeded Steve Cooper in charge in August 2021.
The 36-year-old has earned widespread admiration for the work he has done at the Swans, particularly their playing style, but has insisted his priority is nailing down new deals for some of his key players rather than his own future.
Martin held talks with co-owner Jason Levien for the first time last week but says his own position was not on the agenda.
“It wasn’t [discussed] and we’re quite relaxed about that,” said Martin.
“We’ve had a few player contracts to try and deal with and the January transfer window. That’s more of a priority than us when we’re halfway through our contracts.
“We’re quite relaxed about it really. We’re having initial discussions, they would like to have a chat, Jason [Levien], Jake [Silverstein] and the guys, and we’d love to have that chat as well but it’s all about timing.
“We’re really happy here. I mean that. The people we work with here everyday know that. My family is really happy here. We love the people we’re working with and we’re excited about what we can build. Would we like to stay longer? 100%.
Martin is, however, anxious about the futures of some of his influential players, such as Ryan Manning and Joel Latibeaudiere, whose contracts are up at the end of the season.
Both players have been offered new contracts, but neither has opted to sign on the terms suggested.
“I think, frustratingly for us, I don’t think there is much progress,” added Martin.
“At some point there’ll have to be a cut-off point where we know if they’re staying or not. Josh [Marsh] and Julian [Winter] will continue to work hard on that I’m sure.
“As it stands, the players aren’t agreeing to sign contracts at this moment in time. That’s where we’re at.
“It’s a bit frustrating. There’s been offers of contracts, it’s just sometimes these things take longer than you’d like them to.
“I’m never a fan of leaving players until the last years of their contracts, for this reason, so it’s a bit frustrating for us. We’ll wait and see.
“There will be a time when I can come in and say ‘they’re not signing’ or if they are which will be great news. in the meantime there’s been contracts offered and the negotiations continue.”
The Swans resume their Championship campaign on Saturday with a trip to Coventry City – a team five places below them in the table, but opponents in much better recent form.
The Sky Blues have won four out of their last five matches, whilst the Swans’ 1-0 defeat at home to Norwich City last week left them winless in five games.
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Coventry City are winless in 13 league meetings against Swansea City and haven’t beaten them since 1981!
They meet on Saturday afternoon.
! #CCP | #PUSB #Swans pic.twitter.com/yCLGasXXCc
— The Championship Chat Podcast (@Champchatpod24) December 15, 2022
It means Martin will be looking to strengthen his squad when the January transfer window opens, although there could also be some departures.
“We’re well aware of what we feel we need to improve the performance of the team,” he said.
“We also have a succession plan in case we lose anyone or in case we don’t agree contracts and that means we have to deal with a different scenario in January.
“We’re really prepared I feel. Those discussions have been going on for a long time and they’ll be going on until January.
“I’d really like us to work quickly in terms of what we want, but, again, January is really difficult, so we’ll just have to see on that front.
“We have real clarity in what we feel we need to improve us and also we have real belief that we have the full support of Jake [Silverstein], Jason and Steve [Kaplan]. We’ve got real confidence that they’ll help us out in January and hopefully improve the squad.”
