Planet Swans ArchivesThe Swans went down 2-0 at Upton Park on Saturday thanks to two goals from Kevin Nolan, a result which left them just two points ahead of the relegation zone in the Premier League despite what on paper looks a quite healthy 12th position.
And with a massive South Wales derby coming up on Saturday against local rivals Cardiff City it is a huge week for the Swans which will start with their manager reportedly in Paris and not to return until Tuesday.
On the face of it you would be forgiven for assuming that the position of Michael Laudrup would be assured for this season in its entirety given the fact that he led the Swans to their first ever major trophy last season and therefore into a Europa League campaign this season. Add to that a 9th placed Premier League finish and it would seem almost unthinkable that he may not last the season at the Liberty.
However, there were stories back in the summer of a rift between Laudrup and Chairman Huw Jenkins which, according to press reports at the time, left the two of them with a working relationship that was not the strongest and also led to both parties denying the reports and pledging to work together.
Laudrup was backed to record proportions in the transfer market as a result and the season progressed to where we are today although a run of just one win in the last ten Premier League games was never going to be comfortably received anywhere within the Swansea ranks especially ahead of such a vital game.
On Sunday morning rumours of an emergency board meeting surfaced together with further rumours that the manager had resigned in the wake of the defeat at West Ham although none of them were substantiated at any stage. Whilst, later on in the day two contradicting newspaper reports led further to the confusion and added weight to the argument that this is about to be an uncertain week for all of us ahead of the derby.
Firstly, the South Wales Evening Post reported that Swansea’s decision-makers are not considering making a change.
And though there is disappointment over the way Swansea are performing within the boardroom – and concern about where the club will finish this season – Laudrup’s job is safe for now.
However, the Daily Mail later in the day reported Sportsmail understands there are factions of the club’s hierarchy who would rather see Laudrup leave sooner, with Swansea struggling in the Barclays Premier League.
Bookmakers reacted to the rumours by making Laudrup the favourite to be the next Premier League manager to leave his position with Betfair the longest odds at 6/4, in from what was 16/1 less then two weeks ago.
The current Swans board have never had a track record of sacking managers but rumours suggest that the working relationship – something they have always said is vitally important – is at a level that may mean a parting of the waves earlier than expected (it was always believed that this would be the Danes last season in charge) could well happen.
What we cannot allow to happen though is that this overshadows the build up to what is possibly the most important South Wales derby ever and the focus for the team must remain on that game and winning to put the all important extra breathing space between us and the relegation zone.
Interesting times on a story that could run and run?
