Just nicked this from planet swans a good read if not a bit long but very interesting. Keith Haynes takes a sideways look at Frederiksberg's finest son I remember Michael Laudrup, he played for Juventus, Barca, Real Madrid, Lazio, Ajax and Brondby. There were other clubs, but for me these are the sides that Michael complimented and as a football fan are the teams that he set alight. Even when things were not going so good, when at Juve for example he still maintained a style and skills base much admired. It may well be that I wouldn't research and write a piece like this if it wasn't for the fact the he now manages Swansea City, and to date Michael Laudrup has only picked up plaudits. This of course, as it did with Brendan Rodgers will change as the season moves on. Especially as the media look for failure for their next Swansea story - Its natural. And it may well be that the way I write about this once great player is done with a tinge of compassion for our new Swansea man - But how often do we get this chance as keen writers and followers of the world game ? In 1997 I spent a pretty cloudy, boozy and very interesting night in the company of Jan Molby, it wasn't for the first time and wasn't the last, but on this occasion he revealed that in his opinion Laudrup was indeed the worlds best footballer. Laudrup had just signed for Japanese side Vissel Kobe, a sign if ever there is that things are moving on in your career. Maybe a sign that the football boots that have earned you so much recognition require some ' hanging up ' I mentioned this to Jan who put me straight on Laudrup's ability and natural talent. ' He doesn't need even at this age ( he was 32 ) to worry too much about finishing the game just yet ' Jan wasn't upset but when one of Denmark's finest players talks about another you tend to listen. In fact I would say the pair of them in the same room would go some way to completing slots 1 and 2 in any Denmark ' All star 11 ' ' Michael will have more to say before he finishes ' was Jan's prediction. And of course he did, Returning to Ajax and playing a season scoring a further eleven goals reinforced the big mans prediction and endorsed at the age of 34 Laudrup's top class credentials. So what do we have at Swansea City today ? A tactician ? playmaker ? Strategist ? Maybe all three ? I know that as a player Laudrup was all three, for me a recognised world player and exquisite midfield playmaker. Of course, like many footballers he would also have that question asked of his personal and sporting intelligence. This can only be answered in interviews where scrutiny and weaknesses are often exposed by a greedy and ridiculous media, or indeed in Michael's case as a founder member of one of Scandinavia's best thought of ' think tanks ' CEPOS a research organisation that furthers national awareness on arts, politics - supports tax benefits and endorses cultural diversity. Yes, Michael was a founder member. Question, for me, answered. Then of course its the ability to travel across Europe with a dedicated football talent at your feet ( quite literally ) and then being able to converse and be understood in Italy, Spain, Holland and in borderline Asia in Japan. Football does a lot of talking for the worlds finest players, but of course there is that persons persona that matters as well, and some people have it in huge doses. These days you need to articulate your thoughts well and be as transparent as possible to a watching public and waiting media. The ability to talk and walk at the same time is often a question asked of many people in the public eye. To be able to remain composed on a fervent football pitch, look relaxed and at ease off it doesn't always come as second nature ( Ian Holloway, the tormented Alan Pardew, Kenny Dalglish and Kevin Keegan all spring to mind ) I would imagine playing alongside Hristo Stoichkov or Ivan Zamorano who believed Laudrup to be the greatest player ever seen will also help raise your profile, especially when they talk so fondly of your skills, but management is now where it is at, so what does Michael bring to west Wales in football terms ? When appointed it was clear to me that the media were very quick to point out his failings, I mean he wasn't being touted further east was he ? The persistent pain in the south Wales football scene is Swansea City, the unfathomable way the board have guided the club to its current position is viewed enviously throughout the football world, and not just over in the capital. The failings began to build up, whole articles on how Michael Laudrup still had questions to answer were written and his credentials once again put in to question. The most positive thing I read was ' The jury's out ' well for that sportswriter I award a golden globe in stupidity. This a player that in Spain inspired the expression ' Made in Laudrup ' That catchy running style and creativity sparked a generation of young teenagers to aspire to copy and master. He was already teaching before he even knew it, and his coaching ability wasn't in words or diagrams, it was in moving pictures for everyone to see. Michael stepped up to the plate at the age of 36 when he co-managed ( coached ) Denmark with Morten Olsen another Danish football pacemaker. Fitting that Michael would start at the top of his game for his country yet again, but this time influencing the national team to the latter stages of the 2002 World Cup. Michael was on his way. This would be the start of his ten year journey to Swansea City. He would move on to Brondby, Getafe and then Spartak Moscow before finding some solace, and some notoriety at a disturbed Mallorca and then ( of course ) the wide open views of the Gower and beyond. At Brondby he led the side to a cup and league double in 2005 and numerous runners up positions before moving to Getafe in La Liga taking them to a cup final against Valencia - and a quarter final slot in the UEFA Cup. The Getafe ' way ' was an attacking free flowing well crafted football style that earned many admirers and was seen as a real success at a club then seen in a similar way to Swansea City are today. The win rate of almost 43 % was a stunning achievement in such a hot and competitive league. It was at this point that the football crossroads approach and decisions, often not always the right ones are made. Even though Panathinaikos offered him the lead coaching role in Greece terms could not be met. This meant that the only stipulation by Laudrup that he could leave if a Spanish club came in for him could not be agreed, and his Greek journey ended before it could start. Michael went to Spartak Moscow. His stay there was short and unproductive, he was sacked after eight months in charge after what was described as an humiliating defeat at the hands of Dinamo in the cup. This was Laudrup's first failure in football terms, and this is when the character of a player or manager is tested. When you have the earnings of Michael Laudrup, cash is not the first incentive to carry on in football. A string of Spanish clubs wanted his signature and after a 10 month sabbatical it seemed that Valencia had won the battle but they failed again to agree terms and in late 2009 RCD Mallorca won the day. The Laudrup's settled well on the island and still own property there today, the island club clearly making its mark on the Laudrup clan. During his time at the club he worked tirelessly against financial restrictions which saw them kicked out of european competition - and he kept the club away from relegation. With all this ongoing behind the scenes and a club to manage as well his close confidant and ally Erik Larsen was sacked by owner Lorenzo Ferrer. This in turn in September 2011 forced Laudrup's hand and he resigned from the club. It would take a very special job to persuade The Laudrup's to move again. After the surprising actions of Brendan Rodgers in June 2012 Swansea City were left without a manager and Laudrup was approached via the board and agent Bayram Tutumlu which eventually led to him being offered a two year contract. The new two way Swansea street meant a new challenge for Michael Laudrup at a club which insisted on a certain way of playing football. Regardless of the contracts finer detail, and there will always be ' finer detail ' the marriage was completed quickly. The papers were signed and the family increased. Players in are those that can force the Swansea cause forwards, players out will come thick and fast over the next four days and especially in January I am sure. The season start we all could maybe have predicted, the easy on the eye style and free flowing movement is maybe expected ? However the goals that were lacking ( at times ) last season have arrived and have shocked the premier league world. To lead the premier league at such an early stage, albeit for a few hours is a fantastic start, and to be second in that league with a game in hand is astonishing. Many will say that Swansea City haven't played any decent sides in the league just yet, i would say they are beating the teams that they have to beat to stay in the league. Either way its going to be another free flowing battle this season. The new Swansea way seems to have been enhanced, and the credentials of the enhancer, Michael Laudrup not in question. In his own words ' There will be ups and downs ' ....... And these downs Laudrup speaks of may well be very difficult to take after this fantastic start, but we do enjoy what we have, we have to, and when things are more testing we have today's success to bank and nobody can take that away from Swansea City FC. Keith Haynes new book Shine on Swansea City Catch Keith at his book signing at the Liberty Stadium club shop on Saturday October 6th 2012 ( Home v Reading ) Mid-day to 2.30pm Cheers Mabon
As it pertains to us , Laudrup is a good manager who never really wanted to leave Brondby but got caught playing chicken over contract negotiations with the team . 3 clubs , 3 seasons & a bit of disrespect later , Laudrup has finally found that respect he longed for since leaving Brondby . I tell you , the planets are lining up for both Swansea & Laudrup with this match up , could be something very special come out of this over the next few seasons IMO
Let's be honest here, the man has forgotten more about football than any of us mere mortals have ever known in the first place. I don't think any of realise yet just how lucky we are, he really is a genuine legend of the game. What price would ML be worth on today's transfer market?
