I can't put into words the feelings I have for this man! I have followed the Swans for 60 years this season and have seen many managers in this time ,and as Tina Tuna sang he is Simply The Best! Only half a season gone and we are half way to safety which Huw has set him a target to achieve. He has made some great signings and I feel he will do so again in January, but most of all he is a real gent -not like you know who!Onwards and upwards.
Kalispera Pete! Ti kanis? Man How I miss Georgioupolis, and Valentino's. Anyway back to the thread, well chosen words Pete, and I think how we all feel, was watching an interview today on Sky, Laudrup was giving his assessment regarding Michu, top man indeed. Got to thank Huw and the board for bringing him here, just hope the vultures will stay away, so we can keep him a few seasons, we have already supplied three manager's to the premiership, don't want to make it a fourth!......................
I do get about a bit!..... Never been state side though, just got back lunchtime from Engerland, It's raining there too........ Of all the Greek Islands, and I've been to a few I tell you, even the back Islands, with no roads, just donkey tracks, Crete is by far the best, if only they hadn't got so greedy!...............
you are right rubber, but its great while we have him and no doubt Huw will find another gem afterwards.
Like this extract from the Guardian today: "The managers here have a lot more influence on who is coming and going," Laudrup said. "I prefer it [to be] my responsibility, because if things are not going well I am the one being sacked." A study of their recent history, however, should tell him that Swansea do not sack managers. They sell them.
Well money talks but we are running at a profit, pushing on nicely and next year the prize money and tv money goes through the roof. We have been canny selling our players and staff to get here, but now we are established in the Prem and very much in the black. I reckon we can hang on for bigger fees for players and staff than we could before. Michu will no doubt have his head turned one day but we can quite realistically expect an inflated fee far in of excess of the £10m - £15m some people have been throwing around. Actually it bugs me how bigger clubs seem to think we should be happy to sell say Michu for £10m because it's such a tidy profit for us. We don't need the money so pay up big or shut up. How much would Michu cost us if we were trying to buy him from Arsenal, Liverpool or Athletico if they had paid just £2m for him in the summer? ML has a contract until 2014 so I believe he will stay until at least then. The Denmark manager's retirement is also in 2014 so he may be tempted to manage his country after Swansea. Probably too young to do it but he's not a typical manager or person. I say we offer him a long term project and sign him and his staff until 2016 at least. Viva the viKING of Swansea!
I've got a feeling that Michael will be with us for the medium term at least. It will depend, imo, on us staying up and him getting a decent transfer kitty in the summer as a result. If Huw and the board back him, I think he will be interested to see just how far he can take us before he finally does take his leave. He surely has enough money, so I believe that it will be achievement and not financial reward that drives him. For a little club like Swansea to get into Europe and/or win a cup competition will give him huge satisfaction and recognition from his peers. Just my thoughts........
Michael has stated that trophies are not the be all and end of his targets but to see his youngsters develop into good players.
Ivor, that's the impression I've always got from him. He doesn't seem interested in managing a 'big club' and all its pressures and politics. He sees success as the development he can help with as well as 'punching above your weight'/'proving the sceptics wrong'.