Michael Duff says he wants to install a "one-team mentality" at Swansea City after officially being unveiled as the club's new manager.
The Northern Irishman will lead the Swans into the upcoming Championship season after signing a three-year deal at the Swansea.com Stadium as he replaces Russell Martin, whose move to Southampton was confirmed on Wednesday night.
And the 45-year-old is ready to hit the ground running, as he is expected to report to Fairwood tomorrow to welcome players back for the first day of pre-season, ahead of a week-long training camp in Spain.
READ MORE: Swansea City name Barnsley boss Michael Duff as manager as new era gets under way
In his first interview as Swansea boss, Duff laid out his managerial philosophy, having led Barnsley to the League One play-off final last season and guiding Cheltenham Town to the League Two title in 2021.
At the heart of it is a whole-club approach, with the new boss stressing the importance of team while also promising fans a more progressive style of play to be backed up by plenty of wins.
“We need that one-team mentality; the players, staff, fans, and board. Everyone needs to pull in the same direction because that’s the only way you’re going to achieve success,” he said.
“I’ve had seven promotions in my career as a player and manager so I know what an environment should look and smell like.
"I want to play good football and I know that there is an expectation of that at this football club, but it’s about evolving it, moving it and being a bit more on the front foot and a bit more progressive at times," he added.
“It’s about getting the balance of all those things because ultimately it’s a winning business. You’ve got to win.”
But Duff doesn't appear to want to make sweeping changes as he settles into the hotseat as he claimed he simply wants to build on the infrastructure, style and players already at the club.
“I’ve come in with my eyes wide open in terms of the managers who have been here before,” he added. “If you look at my previous teams, you’ll see we’re aggressive and in your face, we’ll go and press but we look to play football as well.
“I see a lot of good footballers and a lot of talent in the dressing room, so if we can add to that then I see an opportunity to do something.
"Everyone needs to be pulling in the same direction. Everything is about the team."
After admitting he was excited to get to work and meet his squad for the first time, the 45-year-old claimed there were "lots of reasons" he could not resist taking up the job despite being just over a year into a three-year deal at Barnsley, citing the ambition of the owners as a major factor.
“There were lots of reasons I wanted to come to Swansea; the step up in level, but also the infrastructure that’s already at the football club, and speaking to the owners and the ambition they’ve got for the club, it matches my own ambition," he said.
As for what's first up on the agenda tomorrow morning, the gaffer explained he would be closely monitoring his squad's attitude, with his inherited staff also being placed under the microscope.
“My immediate aims are to get a helicopter view of the landscape and the players, physically and mentally," he added. "What do they look like? What is their attitude like? And that’s the same for all the staff too.
"Ultimately, we want to walk out of pre-season with a fit group of players who are fresh. Hopefully the supporters are as excited as I am. Hopefully we’re going to see some really good football which is a little bit more on the front foot.
"We need the supporters as much as they need us and if we both turn up every week, then hopefully we’ll get more wins than losses.”
