Michael Laudrup takes Swansea hot seat

The former Denmark international was yesterday named as successor to Brendan Rodgers who joined Liverpool earlier this month, penning a two-year contract with the Barclays Premier League club. Laudrup, 47, won five Spanish league titles with Barcelona and Real Madrid in the early 1990s and the creative midfielder was one of the players of his generation. The 47-year-old intends to continue a philosophy of slick play which helped keep the Welsh club up after what was their first taste of the Premier League. “Everyone knows the style of football Swansea play and it suits my way of thinking,” Laudrup said on the club’s official website, www.swanseacity.net. “I have spoken to the chairman and I am very pleased to sign for Swansea City. “It is going to be a new experience for me and I am really looking forward to it” he said. Swansea chairman Huw Jenkins played his cards close to his chest in the search for a new manager. A number of names were linked with the vacancy including Gus Poyet, Marcel Desailly, Dennis Bergkamp and Wigan assistant manager Graeme Jones. Laudrup had spells in charge of Brondby, Getafe, Spartak Moscow and Real Mallorca, but without delivering any prolonged success. Jenkins, though, is confident the Dane can have a major impact on the English Premier League. “Michael has a clear picture and understanding of what we require at Swansea City to build on all the good work and strides we have made over the last few years,” the Swansea chairman said. “There is no doubt about his standing as one of the game’s greatest footballers, but we also see the qualities he has as a manager. We see Michael as someone who is fully committed and educated in all aspects of the way we want to take the club forward. “Our overall aim is to build on our first season in the Premier League, but we also fully understand the need to adapt our approach as we go along to remain competitive season after season. Part of that process is to look at new ideas and increase our knowledge on all aspects of the game to keep advancing. “Everyone I’ve spoken to about Michael during the appointment process can’t speak highly enough about him, not just as a football man, but as a person.” Swansea have meanwhile tied up midfielder Lee Lucas, 20, on a new three-year contract, but it remains to be seen whether a proposed £6.8million deal for the permanent signing of Gylfi Sigurdsson from Hoffenheim following a successful loan spell will be completed, with suggestions the Icelander may now link up with Rodgers at Anfield. Swansea defender Angel Rangel feels Swansea can push on from their 11th place finish last season. “We know our second season in the Premier League is probably going to be the hardest, but we finished last season in 11th place having played some great football – and we have to do exactly the same next season. “We believed in our own ability in League One, the Championship and the Premier League – and we have got to keep believing” explained the Spaniard.