Planet Swans ArchivesSo Michael Laudrup is our new manager and what an appointment for the Swans and what a coup for Huw and the rest of his board
We have seen in recent years that the board will not always go for the immediate favourite. We have seen that they will go with someone who matches their philosophy. And – more importantly – we have seen that they will always go with the person who is right for Swansea City.
Brian Flynn, Kenny Jackett, Roberto Martinez, Paulo Sousa, Brendan Rodgers and now Michael Laudrup. Six managerial appointments over a 10 year period by the club and each of them have taken them forward. Each of them probably didn’t start as the favourite at the beginning and some of them came completely from left field. But between them they have lifted the Swans from the bottom of the football league to 11th last season in the Premier League.
And for each of them, Huw Jenkins and his board should sit back and give themselves a pat on the back. From being thrown into running a football club back in 2001, they have never left their principles of how the club should be run and the way that they want to see football played on the field. They know that they will only work with managers who play the game the way they want it played and they won’t break the bank to make it happen.
Five departed managers later and yesterday we saw them appoint the biggest name manager that Swansea have ever had. Michael Laudrup is a legend in world football circles having graced some of the finest clubs in Europe during a glittering career. He lit up the international stage for Denmark and now wants to take his chance in the Premier League.
He is a name who can attract people to Swansea and he is a name that commands respect and will increase the appeal that Swansea City built last season so much so that we will become more widely watched as we enter our second season in the Premier League.
You could argue that it is a gamble and you could argue that he is unproven. But so was Martinez and Rodgers when we gave them managerial roles and look how those turned out. The board dont tend to get these appointments wrong and there is certainly much much more to be positive about than negative over the appointment of Laudrup.
There was a general feeling of despondency when Brendan left just over two weeks ago for Liverpool but I think it was long overlooked the legacy that he would leave us. Taking us into the Premier League was a massive achievement, putting us in a place where so many talked about us was massively understated. It meant that the job looked an attractive one and listen to Michael’s words in tonight’s Evening Post
“During the past few days I have spoken to a lot of people in the footballing world about Swansea to expand my knowledge of the club as much as possible,” the ex-Denmark star explained.
“The reports I got back were very positive. I heard ‘positive football’ and ‘serious club that does things after thinking them through’.
“They are comments I heard again and again, and after working in the Spanish league with Getafe and Real Mallorca, I am looking forward to the opportunity of working in the most viewed league in the world.
“I never managed to play in the Premier League, but now I have the chance to test myself there as a manager.”
There are people everywhere that know what Swansea are capable of and there are people now that want to manage Swansea – all of a sudden Huw has a wide scope of names interested and they come to us looking for the job?
Whatever happened in the meetings between Huw, Michael and his agent, one thing I know for a fact is that Michael’s philosophy would have impressed Huw and I will guarantee he will have sought opinions for people in football before making the decision.
And yesterday he finalised that decision and Michael becomes his latest managerial appointment and, do you know what?, I think he has got it right once more.
Well done Huw and welcome to Swansea Michael – roll on August!
