Swansea City close in on Michael Laudrup for manager role
SWANSEA City are close to ending their search for a manager by appointing Michael Laudrup, the Evening Post can reveal.
Huw Jenkins is flying back into Wales tonight and hopes to put the finishing touches to the deal by Friday.
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Michael Laudrup
The Swansea chairman is refusing to comment on who will get the nod to succeed Brendan Rodgers.
But he told the Post last night that the Swansea hierarchy have made significant progress in their hunt for a new boss over the last few days.
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Jenkins is heading home this evening after an end-of-season break in Cyprus.
And it has been very much a working holiday as Jenkins has whittled down the list of candidates to take the reins from Rodgers.
"If I had not been able to make progress, I wouldn't have been in Cyprus," he stressed.
"We knew roughly what we were going to do even before I came out. That's what we've tried to get on with and obviously progress has been made.
"There's been quite a lot going on over the telephone, as you would imagine.
"I have been keeping in touch with everybody and in a way it's been good that because of the time of year, everybody has had a chance to think things through.
"Hopefully now I can get back home and bring the process to a conclusion.
"There are always things to consider and that will be the case for us right up until the last minute.
"I think you can see that with other clubs, like Liverpool and one or two others who have had managerial changes in recent times.
"Nothing is concluded until it is concluded.
"Until everything is ironed out and finalised, these things are never over the line."
Laudrup's representatives declined to comment on links with Swansea when contacted by the Post yesterday.
And it seems their silence speaks volumes with Swansea getting set to welcome one of the finest players of all time to their dugout.
It is thought that by the start of this week, Jenkins had whittled the shortlist of candidates down to just two names — Laudrup and Ian Holloway.
And it is understood Laudrup is now poised to win the battle for the job.
"As I have said previously, the average length of time it has taken us to appoint a manager in the past is 15 days," added Jenkins.
"That takes us up to Friday this time around, and I am hopeful that we will fit in again with our average.
"It's not a case of coming back and discussing things with the board of directors, because I have been in touch with them every day.
"We have been trying to push things forward this week and I am hopeful that we will soon get things sorted."
Laudrup is keen on managing in the English Premier League having previously coached in Spain, Russia and his homeland.
And it seems a CV which features a sparkling playing career and some impressive strides in management has impressed Swansea's decision-makers.
Former playmaker Laudrup is regarded as one of the great European footballers.
Laudrup was knighted in Denmark 12 years ago, and is seen as the greatest sportsman his country has ever produced.
As a player he won Serie A while at Juventus and lifted five straight La Liga titles, four with Barcelona and then one with Real Madrid. He also landed the European Cup while at Barca and later did the Dutch double with Ajax in the latter stages of his career.
Laudrup, 47, took his first steps in coaching as assistant coach of the Danish national side in 2000.
He enjoyed considerable success in his first manager's job at Brondby, where his assistant was former Arsenal midfielder John Jensen, who could link up with him once more at Swansea.
He then spent a season with unfancied Spanish side Getafe, leading them to the Copa Del Rey final and the quarter-finals of the Uefa Cup.
An unhappy seven-month stint at Spartak Moscow followed before Laudrup returned to Spain with Real Mallorca. He was soon impressing once more in La Liga, but resigned last autumn after his assistant lost his job.
Former Chelsea star Marcel Desailly, meantime, has claimed he was on Swansea's radar following Rodgers's departure.
"I was approached, but it is not the right time," said the Frenchman.
"Everything seemed fine, but it was too early."
Comments
by Jimmy_Blue
Thursday, June 14 2012, 7:12AM
“I can't remember running over xwarex's dog.”
by samdavies39
Thursday, June 14 2012, 1:19AM
“A football legend but also someone who refused to leave the beach in 82 to play for his country as he stated "they are not going to win anyway" though his brother still played and they won.
Though one of the top ever players so here is hoping his managerial skills are as good as his player skills. Though I should think HJ knows whats what.”
by Hadoken222
Thursday, June 14 2012, 1:18AM
“Just do the complete opposite of what Micky says and it'll probably be the right choice.
The guys a bell end.”
by Jagermeister
Wednesday, June 13 2012, 11:33PM
“Micky try doing some research before making ridiculous statements, laudrup was never a defender but one of the most successful forwards in the world! Also Molby has been in management before, his break came as Swansea City manager! So your conclusions come to nothing as you can't even get the basic facts correct.”
by Gazwaldo8
Wednesday, June 13 2012, 11:21PM
“"Mickydirtbag...........I would prefer to see someone like John Barnes with Jan Mobly as his number two - two of the best passers of the ball in the history of the game and two guys who deserve their first shot at management."
Am I missing something here or are you extracting the urine??!!!
Maybe you are being sarcy but i just doubt it somehow!
Jan Molby has had a number of mangerial jobs - not to mention his first stint of being a manager right here at Swansea!!
For me - its Laudrup all the way”
by martyn13
Wednesday, June 13 2012, 10:46PM
“Everything that mickeydirtbag says is completely WRONG. Molby has also had a stint in management...Chek the record books!”
by swanseajock
Wednesday, June 13 2012, 9:12PM
“by MickyDirtbag............... sorry to burst your bubble, but Barnes has had his first chance in management, at Celtic, and I am afraid he was a bit of a disaster. The truth is that many of the best and skillful players have failed to make good managers. I think their natural skill makes it difficult to accept less able players or they just can't get their wishes across. Laudrup has experience, and in Spain was successful. He was an attacker, not a dwefender, and it's hardly anything to do with him that Rangers have gone downhill since he left (I can't see the relevance of that statement??). I think he would be a good choice to take the Swans forward in the manner of play the supporters are now used to.”
by martyn47
Wednesday, June 13 2012, 4:48PM
“If i isLaudrup and he does "take us to te next level" then we may not be perceived as the perennial stepping stone. If w cancement a top ten place in the league over the next few years there won't be many better jobs around. Jan Molby's comments on bbc websit are positive and makes he prospect of ths appointment even more ppealing..”
by MickyDirtbag
Wednesday, June 13 2012, 4:37PM
“I dont think we should go for Mr Lindrup. What has he acheived in the game? Sure he was a tidy defender in his time with Rangers but I cant help feel they have gone backwards since he left - just look at them now.
Do we really want to be in that much debt in 20 years time.
I would prefer to see someone like John Barnes with Jan Mobly as his number two - two of the best passers of the ball in the history of the game and two guys who deserve their first shot at management. Swansea's passing game would suit these legends perfectly.
What do you lads think?”
by ronevans
Wednesday, June 13 2012, 4:23PM
“Just to remind Philosoraptor....we beat three of the teams he named as the top four, but I agree with him the club is regarded as a stepping stone for managers, but cant think of many who made it after leaving us.”