Michael Laudrup On Swansea City Radar

Swansea’s hunt for Brendan Rodgers’ replacement has taken another twist with Michael Laudrup emerging as the clear favourite in the Next Swansea Manager Odds. Reports reveal that the former Barcelona player is set to meet with Swansea chairman Huw Jenkins at some point this week, as The Swans take a step closer to appointing a new manager. A major attraction is Laudrup’s football philosophy which matches well with Swansea’s style, with the club surprising everyone last season with their free-flowing play.

Laudrup worked as assistant coach to Morten Olsen for the Denmark national team between 2000 and 2002, before taking up his first managerial job in charge of Danish side Brondby, where he spent a successful four years. In 2007 he was appointed the new manager of Spanish side Getafe, with whom he guided the final of the Copa del Rey and the last eight of the UEFA Cup. After just a year in Spain he left to manage Spartak Moscow but just seven months later he was sacked. In the summer of 2010 he returned to Spain to take up the reins at Mallorca but resigned at the start of the 2011/12 season. The 47-year-old has since been out of work but is believed to be keen on managing in the Premier League.

Other contenders for the vacancy include Wigan Athletic assistant Graeme Jones, Blackpool boss Ian Holloway and Brighton manager Gus Poyet. Staurt Pearce and Michael Desailly have also been touted as possible replacements although they both are a long shot. Meanwhile Dennis Bergkamp, who emerged as the shock odds-on favourite for the job last week, has since drifted out of the running.