Michael Laudrup: Swansea City success at Wembley would be my finest hour
MICHAEL Laudrup admits winning the Capital One Cup with Swansea City would rank as his perhaps greatest achievement in football.
Laudrup leads Swansea out at Wembley this weekend to face Bradford City.
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Laudrup
It is a first ever major final for Swansea — but the latest in a long line of showpiece occasions in Laudrup's stellar career.
The Dane's list of honours is sensational, with a European Cup, five La Liga titles and one Serie A crown among his numerous achievements.
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But Laudrup rates successes as a manager above what he did as a player.
And although he has won trophies during his time as Brondby boss, he believes bringing silverware to South Wales would top the triumphs he enjoyed in his homeland.
"I have won quite a few trophies as a player," Laudrup said.
"This is my fourth final as a manager and I think personally it's bigger to win as a manager.
"As a player you just do what you know how to do, you try your best as part of the team.
"As the manager you are the one who has to put together the puzzle.
"You cannot go and play but you have to make a team.
"You see that team develop and to see them winning a trophy — that is such a great day.
"I won things at Brondby, but they were one of the top two teams in Denmark so that is one thing.
"With all the respect for us we are a smaller team, so to win with Swansea would be up there among the best results I have had."
Swansea have opted not to do anything out of the ordinary this week even though they are in a final.
They will travel to London on Saturday, when Chico Flores will be on the bus even though he is almost certain to miss out come Sunday afternoon.
Swansea have not officially ruled the centre-back out of contention, but it is thought he has no chance of recovering from an ankle injury in time to feature.
LEAGUE CUP: SWANSEA READY TO BE FAVOURITES:
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by perthswan_wa
Friday, February 22 2013, 7:22AM
“What was that game we had last week, Liverwho?? Role on Sunday, best of luck to ML, staff and all the boys. Cant be there myself, but will be glued to the TV 12,000 miles away. Wishing all of you who are going up a great day, and an even greater trip coming back. Bring that cup back boys GO SWANS!!!”
by CroJack
Friday, February 22 2013, 1:54AM
“3 up and 1 minute to go - give Chico chance to celebrate with the lads. :)”
by seasolder
Thursday, February 21 2013, 7:48PM
“I feel so sorry for Chico-- That cheap and dirty tackle by "Samba" of Qpr put an end to the dreams of a truly whole hearted player, to be playing a final in Wembley. ---- If dreams come true and the Swans are 5 up with 10 minutes to go perhaps Mr M.L will bring Chico on, with his walking sticks.--- Best of luck our swans bring that cup back to the Liberty.”
by Stan_Gun
Thursday, February 21 2013, 6:34PM
“Nice-nails is right to be wary. The Swans prefer to play against the top teams because there is more room in which to express themselves. Lots of clever interpassing up to the last third of the pitch and then put the hammer down. The problem is they don't do that in lower divisions. More rush and aggressive football, closing the opposition down as quickly as they can and then everyone legs it forward using high balls.
It'll be interesting to see how the Swans cope with this. I see the Swans aiming to keep posession for 20 minutes and allowing Bradford to run around a bit, chasing the ball. If that doesn't work then the only thing that will bring results is to pick up the pace and play at speed, using players out wide.
How do others see it?”
by nice_nails
Thursday, February 21 2013, 5:31PM
“so Mickey says this could be his greatest hour, I wonder how Phil Parkinson is describing the achievement, David and Goliath, the wealth Swansea has as a club compared to the poor northerners on paper it seems a dead cert yet hearing so many Swansea fans suggest it's in the bag is upsetting the karma, I'm getting a bad feeling about this.”
by TheSwanseaWay
Thursday, February 21 2013, 5:07PM
“I've been doing a countdown to Wembley on my new blog - The Swansea Way - check it out.
http://tinyurl.com/b84k5fs”
by ScottSwan
Thursday, February 21 2013, 4:57PM
“http://tinyurl.com/b84k5fs”
by dewgay
Thursday, February 21 2013, 4:31PM
“Mr Bantam-----Not many of us guys thought it was a "tin pot final" just because Cardiff were in it...., we just wanted them to lose!!! Anyway, even though I fancy us to win it, I know you guys will give us a tough game after knocking out the prem teams that you have (nice one for beating Wigan by the way). It's a fantastic occasion for both teams & cities, both thouroughly deserving of being there, & let's hope it's a great game!”
by Brafud-Bantam
Thursday, February 21 2013, 3:56PM
“Mr Waunarlwydd, you have friends in Leeds - that really doesn't surprise me, I bet you're like two peas in a pod.
Well, actually I have friends in Cardiff - and at the minute, they love Bradford City ! In fact, they commented that last year, when Cardiff reached the Carling Cup Final ; all of Swansea were of the opinion that it was just a tin pot trophy, not worth winning. Now its up there with the European Cup, funny how things can change isn't it.
Anyway, as previous - good luck on Sunday lads, and let's not have any of this slating or bile, it's not very friendly. We'll all have a lovely day, and Bradford will win 2-0. Ta-rra for a bit.”
by waunarlwydd
Thursday, February 21 2013, 3:19PM
“Bantum- Its Mrs. Waunarlwydd just for you to know ! I'm not mixing you up with anybody either. SMALL MAN syndrome. :-)”