Stability in place even if Laudrup leaves Posted by Max Hicks Swansea has the infrastructure in place to easily overcome a potential loss of manager Michael Laudrup. Another day, and seemingly little change in the supposed stalemate between Michael Laudrup, his agent Bayram Tutumlu and the Swansea board. This summer's early saga is far from what Swans fans might have anticipated, and even further from what anyone wanted. If there's no smoke without fire, then I'm inclined to suggest there isn't even any smoke in this situation. So far, we have been led to believe Laudrup is frustrated at the lack of transfer activity, even though the transfer window doesn't open for another fortnight and few teams have started to refresh their squads in earnest. We've been told how Paris Saint-Germain have an interest in Laudrup, but why should this be news? PSG are a side with an impending managerial vacancy, and it makes perfect sense that Laudrup might come under consideration following the spectacular success he made of his first year in South Wales. Interest alone does not reliably precipitate movement. - Laudrup tipped for PSG job We're told how Laudrup is a fan of extravagant PSG talent Zlatan Ibrahimovic, as though an unsurprising appreciation of an obviously exceptional player somehow equates to mutual interest in the managerial vacancy. PSG have money to spend, and in Ibrahimovic, one of world football's most interesting superstars. Of course the vacancy is attractive, but once again, there is nothing here to suggest Laudrup should be considered favourite. Apparently, the backroom breakdown in relations at the Liberty is exclusive to Swansea chairman Huw Jenkins and Tutumlu, with Laudrup seemingly an embarrassed passenger trying his best to distance himself from the situation. Apparently, Tutumlu has attempted to force his way into Swansea's transfer business by pushing for Ash Williams to be sold and by submitting his own list of preferred transfer targets. It's likely just another case of an agent pushing for more power, a dynamic which has been a constant backdrop to almost every move made in world football over the past decade or more. Jenkins's dispute with Tutumlu is surely a commonplace difference of opinion, and yet the story has been magnified to a farcical extent. Until Laudrup moves, there is no story, and if Laudrup stays, then there never was a story. It is difficult to ignore how much of the flame-fanning has come from the heart of the Welsh media, centralised in the Welsh capital, Cardiff. Swansea's arch rivals finally earned their own promotion to the top flight last season, and with the playing field now levelled on paper at least, it seems certain voices in the Welsh media are more than happy to stir up some unrest for their neighbours. You won't find many stories coming from the Welsh media which cast doubt over Cardiff City's chances of staying in the top flight next season, and yet surely that challenge is greater than any which Swansea will face, even if Laudrup does leave. In case anyone has forgotten, Brendan Rodgers left this time last year, and things worked out well enough. As it was for Swansea, the first priority for Cardiff now is to retool the side with players who can make the difference at Premier League level, but there have been precious few signings in the capital, either. And while few signings in Swansea apparently indicates unrest, the same situation in Cardiff simply means management is taking it's time and 'doing things right'. It's not just the Welsh media, either. Bookmakers continue to slash the odds of Laudrup leaving, making him the present favourite in the so-called sack race. But when the favourite doesn't win, who does? The prospect of Laudrup leaving suits a lot of parties, and makes for provocative copy, but there is still far too little substance to the story. And if it all turns out to be true? The Swans appoint Morten Wieghorst or Gus Poyet as the new boss, and carry on as before. This is a side with its own cultural identity in the football world. A side which has endured four managerial changes in five years, not missed a beat, and even improved results each year. Jenkins is the architect of the Swansea City machine, and when one cog fails, another one of compatible shape and function is installed and the game goes on. Whether there is actually any fire or any smoke is academic. So long as the Swans board continues to run the show to their design, it won't matter if stories about 'unrest' fill column inches that might better have been left blank. There are reasons behind the Swans success. It is no accident. And the ten million pounds release fee inserted into Laudrup's contract extension is a little reassurance that whatever happens in this situation, the Swans still win.
That's one of the best takes I've read on what's been going on. It impresses me that it's not only the Swansea fans can see how biased the Welsh Media is to Cardiff. Really enjoyed reading it.
The games well and truly up now for the media rabble in Cardiff, glad it's been spotted by an outsider now. Absolutely cracking article, well worth the read.
A well written article but total crap as you would expect from a blogger that loves to write blogs but its all guess work as he dont really have a clue what is going on at the club.....these bloggers are everywhere for their own ego as it makes them feel important.....of course there is nothing wrong with that as each to their own but they will never know the facts in a million years...
'these bloggers are everywhere for their own ego as it makes them feel important' Hmmm - pot, kettle, black?
Your reappearance leaves just 2 conclusions 1. A Florida holiday is wasted on you as you are obviously unable to find enjoyment out there and would rather talk **** about undeserved others 2. You arent actually in Florida Please leave us alone and let us enjoy our break
Dai are you 2 people? There was a period a few months ago when you were posting some really good points. But lately you've reverted to type and you're spouting absolute b****x. Surely half of what you say must be irony? No one could really believe such utter tripe. Could they. ..?
I've said many times, the last just yesterday, that Max Hicks is the best Swansea City blogger on the net. Now I have to own up because I do know Max very well and have done for a number of years. Yes, I am biased - with good reason. He consistently puts out articles that are knowledgeable and professionally written and, being a published author myself, I believe myself to be a competent and credible judge of these things. Now, you won't find Max writing about anything new to us. Like Scott, he is a blogger, not an investigative journalist paid to seek out scoops. He writes his opinion about all things Swans and is qualified to do so because, unashamedly he is a great fan with huge interest in our club and this has been so since he was a lad. He was a mascot once and nominated Tommy Hutchinson as his favourite player at the time - not a bad judge. Max is actually based near Cardiff for career and professional reasons but he's a Jack, always has been a Jack and always will be a Jack. Follow his blog and make some comments. He loves to interact with fellow supporters and, invariably, you will get a reply.
A little something from today's papers in Copenhagen: Bayram Tutumlu meets up with Huw Jenkins in Barcelona to talk about ML's 5 million "going away bonus." Another Dane, Rene Meulensteen, is to take over from ML. There must be an English source for this, I'd say.
What ? Someone on THIS planet thinks that the Swans are prepared to pay 5m to offload ML and has actually put it into print ??? Personally I think that is the craziest of all rumours I've heard. Huw has the reputation of being a bit tight with money to say the least - can't see any way ever how he'd blow 5m on this.
It seems the extraterrestial goes by the name of Nixon: "Michael Laudrup is on the brink of resolving his differences with Swansea City – by leaving the club, writes the Sunday People's Alan Nixon. City supremo Huw Jenkins is flying to Spain for a summit meeting with manager Laudrup’s controversial agent to thrash out a big-money severance deal. Laudrup wants a golden handshake of up to £4million for the two years left on his newly-signed contract, but the Swans are hoping the Dane is a target for a rival club which would give them the cash to fund a replacement. Jenkins has been invited to Barcelona by Bayram Tutumlu – the agent the Swans chairman cut out of any involvement in Laudrup’s transfer dealings. That put a wedge between the two camps which has strained the relationship to breaking point. Now the only solution looks like a parting of the ways ... Meanwhile Jenkins is looking to buy players that he and his staff have identified rather than Laudrup targets. And if Laudrup does go, Swansea will opt for a coach rather than a manager, with old boy Graeme Jones and Manchester United’s outgoing Rene Meulensteen in the frame. Jones is leaving Wigan to join Everton, but the Swans would love him back. Meulensteen, who missed out at Wigan, would also fit the demands."
Jones: "The Swans would love him back" Kind of puts this journalistic work of art in context. Didn't Nixon famously say "I am not a liar"?
I'm not sure how I feel at this point in the thread, but that blog has two things spot on... The evening post are trying to sensationalise the story to sell papers. Mostly because they're ****ers of the highest order. Huw Jenkins (and the board) are stunningly placed to replace ML if necessary. They've done it before, they'll do it again. As an aside, HJ has done little that can be seen as wrong, by anyone, in the last year. Now there is a story of which there can be a divided opinion, Dai has come out 'swinging'. Same person, same grammar, same low opinion of what should only be seen as a cool performance by the board.
