UNITED KINGDOM: FOOTBALL / SOCCER - Former Real Madrid and Barcelona midfielder Michael Laudrup says he became the new Swansea City coach because the philosophy of the club matches his own

Record ID: 860529

  • Title: UNITED KINGDOM: FOOTBALL / SOCCER - Former Real Madrid and Barcelona midfielder Michael Laudrup says he became the new Swansea City coach because the philosophy of the club matches his own
  • Date: 22nd June 2012
  • Summary: LONDON, UK (JUNE 21, 2012) (REUTERS) JOURNALIST TAKING NOTES
  • Embargoed: 7th July 2012 13:00
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  • Location: United Kingdom
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  • Country: United Kingdom
  • Topics: Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVA4ISQJKJKEBSB8XGW2TACLMAXM
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  • Story Text: Michael Laudrup said on Thursday (June 21) he became the new Swansea City coach because the philosophy of the club matches his own.
    The former Barcelona and Real Madrid midfielder was unveiled at the club's Liberty Stadium as the Dane completed the move to take over from Brendan Rodgers.
    "I have to say I am very happy to be here in the Premier League," Laudrup told reporters at a news conference. "I think it's a huge challenge for me but also a great experience.
    "Why Swansea? Of course when I heard about the interest I did a lot of digging into what kind of football Swansea is playing; what do they want to do, the story of this club, the managers and everything.
    "I see that they try to have the philosophy that the chairman is talking about. I think that is going along with my way of seeing football."
    Former Danish international Michael conceded he knew very little about Swansea City had to do some research before he agreed to take over as the coach. Laudrup also said he had a lot to learn about the Premier League.
    "It's very different," Laudrup said. "I've only seen English football, the Premier, on television from when I was a very young guy in the 70's and 80's but things have changed a lot.
    "But of course I don't have the experience with this league. I've played against some as a manager in the European competition but I haven't had the experience here so of course I need also people around me, to help me especially in the beginning.
    "But that's why you have staff, that's why you have a big group. The manager has to make the final decision but at the end of the day you have to work along with a lot of people who can give you some inputs, who can give you some knowledge and I always delegate things to people because I think that is very important. I cannot do everything."
    Laudrup, 48, was a stylish player who won 104 caps for Denmark and is widely recognised as his country's finest footballer.
    He won four titles in a row during his spell at Barcelona and it was the Spanish club's footballing approach that Swansea tried to emulate in their debut campaign in the Premier League last season.
    Laudrup, who quit as coach of La Liga club Real Mallorca in September, will be making his first foray into English soccer management.
    "We're delighted to have somebody with Michael's background," said Swansea chairman Huw Jenkins. "I think taking aside the level he played at the fact that he played at those teams with the way they play I think is vitally important to us, that's the biggest thing to remember."
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