Former Swansea City defender Alan Tate has stated that the club should either back manager Garry Monk or sack him.

Reports have suggested that the 36-year-old could be dismissed following a run one of win in 11 Premier League games, while former boss Brendan Rodgers has also been linked with a return to the Liberty Stadium.

Tate, who played alongside Monk for 10 years at Swansea, has said that the club must make it clear where they stand with the manager.

"I wish they'd either come out and back him or get rid of him," the 33-year-old told BBC Sport. "Either way, I think he'd rather know, rather than hanging on.

"He'll work harder than anyone and he'll be hurting because of these results. The performances and the results haven't been there, but you just hope that he gets given a bit more time."

Swansea are currently 15th in the table, a point outside the relegation zone.