Alan Biggs: What Sheffield Wedneday boss Garry Monk has in common with Leicester City's Brendan Rodgers

Hopefully Garry Monk’s reign at Sheffield Wednesday will bear this out because, amid much difficulty, he is working to a clear plan and has been for some time.

Mostly calmly and also consciously in the style of one of the country’s leading managers, Brendan Rodgers, currently third in the Premier League, for whom he was captain at Swansea City.

Some Owls fans have wrongly mistaken Monk’s unflappability for aloofness and a lack of passion.

They have also questioned his ability and decision-making in the light of last season’s alarming slump and the departure of popular players.

But it was telling to hear when we spoke at length last week that Monk had already warned owner Dejphon Chansiri of the major rebuilding job required even before Wednesday were third at Christmas.

He admits he carries - uncomplainingly - the “baggage” of the implosion that followed and regards it as “a big learning curve” in his career.

Equally, though, he was proved right and so, I believe, was Chansiri in continuing to back him. The recruitment and approach since then, tailored to harsh finances, has made sense.

And when it comes to personal style, there’s this undoubted truth: “If results are good, no-one’s really bothered.”

He admits they haven’t been at S6 as he heads into his second year in the job - but is relishing “my first opportunity with my own staff to put my own stamp on it.”

Which is to “promise a team that will fight in every single game” and which “when the going got tough we didn’t see enough of last season.”

But don’t expect to see Monk bellowing accordingly. That’s where Leicester City’s former Liverpool, Celtic and Swansea manager comes in.

“Brendan Rodgers is the best manager I’ve ever worked with,” Monk told me.

“He’s a top manager and he’s very calm, calm most of the time. I very rarely remember Brendan ever losing his cool, raising his voice.

“It’s whatever your personality is. I can be fiery and I can be calm, but I’m as passionate and enthusiastic as anyone else.

“I was captain at Swansea for Brendan and our relationship was very strong.

“And then moving into management, he’s always been supportive, we’ve had great conversations.”

Plus here’s the pay-off line: “Would you say Brendan’s not passionate? Of course you wouldn’t!”

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