Michael Laudrup

stubie1234 said:
If he wins the League Cup and gets a top 10 finish this season I can see Roman calling this summer.
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It would be quite funny really, I could see him going there and failing.

The secret behind the success of Swansea is that all their recent managers have the same principles. They've all built teams that like to keep the ball and pass it around and because they've all brought into the same principles the players they've signed have all been good technical players. Each manager has just tweaked it a bit to add their own touch.

It much like how WBA are doing so well because they've benefitted from having 3 managers with similar ideals. RDM got them playing, Roy came in and sorted them out defensively and Clarke inherited a team where he had a solid base and just had to tweak the wide men and strikers.

The continuity of clubs, even through managers, is a model we need to look at in getting a new manager. We need a new manager who will continue along similar principles to fergie and bring a few new things to the table. If it doesn't work out with the first manage you bring in a second with similar ideals again.

Changing to 4-3-3 once Fergie goes is the worst thing that could happen to us IMO.
 
Great vidoe.I never had the chance to really watch him at his best on a regular basis.I can see that Iniesta has influenced himself a lot on Laudrup
 
That is one wicked video. I know YouTube has the ability to make even the most mediocre player look phenomenal but for the love of god!! This is who we need in the midfield. Laudrup and Carrick all the way
 
lunchforthesky said:
Maradona's out of work at the moment.

Got to be between Van Basten, Laudrup and Zico for me.
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Yeah. Thought he was still in the Middle East. Zico isn't managing either.

Forgot about van Basten. His top scorer is Icelandic. Good finisher. Could be seen in the PL in the future.
 
I've never watched Laudrup play before, but my goodness that video just shows how bloody good he was. I thought Zidane was a genius, but Laudrup just goes a level above. Crazy. And for such a brilliant footballer, he's such a nice human being.
 
Freak said:
I've never watched Laudrup play before, but my goodness that video just shows how bloody good he was. I thought Zidane was a genius, but Laudrup just goes a level above. Crazy. And for such a brilliant footballer, he's such a nice human being.
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No doubt, Laudrup was sensational as a player. Absolutely terrific.
 
I imagine that during Swansea training sessions he's still the best player on the pitch.
 
Graham is prone to hyperbole but that assessment is something I'd concur with. Except it ignores what sort of alpha personality Zizou had on the pitch compared to the Dane
 
I reckon he's one of the most underrated players of the last few decades. In Italy I suspect he doesn't have a great reputation while in the UK it's pretty common for people to think Brian was the better of the two due to his exploits for Rangers and Michael's no-show in the biggest moment in Danish football history. Was it possible to see many of Barca's league games back in the early 90s or were you just limited to European coverage?

He'd be the second best player in the world if he was playing now, IMO. For me he's every bit as good as Zidane and Platini's better than both. It'd be interesting to hear what Juventus fans or even Italian fans in general think about this trio since they obviously saw the best of the two Frenchman and the worst of Laudrup.
 
He was amazing, and it always annoys me how he's overlooked by most of Europe when talking about former greats.

Could have gone to Liverpool had they not spazzed it.
 
lunchforthesky said:
I imagine that during Swansea training sessions he's still the best player on the pitch.
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The Getafe players said that he was (still) the best player on the pitch when he was managing them.

As many others have said, he's also got his head right. Very intelligent, very well-spoken. I wish he would still provide the commentary for Danish coverage of the CL, instead of Mølby, the ignorant scouser.
 
I have always heard that he was a great player... but I never knew he was that great.
 
With all the talk being about Hazard its taking away from what a fantastic job he's done so far. Obviously has to continue to do well before we can conclusively call him a success but can't take away from a fantastic 6 months so far.

Swansea are my favorite team after United.

I think this piece sums it up well.


And so, the final that we all wanted. Even Chelsea and Aston Villa fans probably fancied a Swansea v Bradford final, because the Capital One Cup ranks below 'Make sure we've got some new A4 protest banners for Saturday' in the former's priorities, and the latter's senses have been so dulled by years of ennui that they probably didn't notice losing anyway.

The nice thing about the final for us neutrals is of course that it offers something different, something interesting rather the standard procession of a big club's reserves picking up a trophy that the first-teamers will use as a spittoon or champagne bucket at some point in the near future.

The other nice thing is that it could offer some sort of tangible reward and specific moment of glory for Swansea, the team that everyone loves to quite like.

Everyone has been falling over themselves to write nice things about Swansea recently, and with good reason. There's Michael Laudrup's hair - less a style, more a feat of physics - for a start, as well as his very handsome face.

But more seriously (ish), they provide an example and hope for all clubs that are circling the drain, or have sunk to previously un-thought of depths, that they can make something of themselves. As you'll know, ten years ago they almost dropped out of the Football League, now they're one of the better sides in the top flight, have the Premier League's bargain of the season up front and play in a style that keeps everyone entertained as well as full of admiration.

And it's because they have a plan. As teams around them swing from one extreme to another, appointing one manager as an opposite reaction to the last, Swansea move smoothly from one leader to another, not simply holding steady but improving too.

The whole way the club is built these days means it's not an enormous surprise that they have improved and moved on since last season. The 'culture' and 'philosophy' and other words that sound utterly stupid in a football context of the club is such that a new manager has a solid foundation and can add little bits on to improve it.

Laudrup has done that, introducing some pragmatism without turning them into Stoke, making the team more direct without turning them into Stoke, and even tightening up their backline without turning into, erm, Stoke.

"It was like a bar fight," said Ashley Williams after the Chelsea game, and it says something about Laudrup's Swansea that they emerged from this particular scrap with a lady on their arm, only the odd bruise and saying "You should see the other guy."

Williams and Chico Flores (or to translate - Little Boy Flowers) have to be one of the most impressive central defensive partnerships in the division. A few early-season errors from Williams and some...eccentric moments from Flores aside, the pair have been excellent when played together.

In the 19 games Chico and Williams have started together this season, Swansea have kept seven clean sheets, conceding 17 goals. In the other 12, only one clean sheet (against Middlesbrough) and 16 conceded. Laudrup has basically added substance to Swansea's existing style.

This partnership is a terrific example of how Laudrup has changed Swansea. Now, people don't just talk about Swansea as a good passing side, but just a good side. Hats off, Michael. We always thought you were better than Brian anyway.

http://www.football365.com/f365-says/8429627/F365-Says
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Williams-Chico Flores > Rio-Vidic / Rio-Evans / Rio-Smalling / Vidic-Evans / Vidic-Smalling / Evans-Smalling / Jones-Anyone else.
 
It's blokes like Michael and clubs like Swansea that make football refreshing to watch. I am very happy for them. I've noticed a few neutrals have considered picking Swansea as their team to follow. I don't blame them. What's not to like?
 
This year they're my second favourite team to watch after us of course, I used to love watching Tottenham but this season Swansea have been better to watch I feel. I like how all the players are comfortable on the ball and try to show up to offer solutions, and how much movement they offer. I'm just slightly annoyed when they go for the long ball like they did last night, it's usually a waste. In any case, Laudrup did some good business in the summer (Michu, what a buy! And Chico has been great) and just taken them to the next level using the foundations already there. Not a surprise the guy goes for a passing game, but they've also got that cutting edge they lacked last year I feel.

On a side note, how exciting must it be for professional football players to be coached day in day out by Laudrup! :drool:
 
The thing I like about Swansea is they just look a very well-drilled side, well coached. Alot of thought goes into their play and yet instead of coming across methodical, it's very easy on the eye.
 
I really like his interviews too.

He gave a good one after last nights game. Calling theirs a mini fairytale and Bradfords a massive fairytale.
 
The first video posted on this thread makes him look like a football god.

Anyway I'm happy to see him doing so well at Swansea. They are now my 2nd favourite team in the league.
 
Fortunate enough to have seen both laudrup and van basten play in their prime (late 80s - early 90s). Both will be more famous today had the Internet been around back then. IMHO, van basten is the best no 9 ever, while laudrup's genius as a footballer was akin to George Best. Laudrup was the master of the perfect pass, so good that the receiver often didn't even have to break stride. And unlike Zidane, Laudrup had blistering pace. Not often to see players with such technical skills also possess that kind of pace. And his right foot to left foot trademark dribble is just a joy to watch. Voted best foreign player ever to play in Spain some time back. Maybe Messi may change that. But still, it was a joy to watch him play, and I'm really happy that the younger generation these days can still view his skills via YouTube.
 
Some honour that, the best foreign player to play in Spain. He was competing with some major players, Zidane, Redondo, Ronaldo (the real one) etc.

His comments about not wanting to manage Barcelona or some major job in club football was interesting. It's often said that Laudrup as a player, never gave his 100% on the pitch. I think Cryuff once said that he gives only 80% but that's good enough for most opponents, and they had a falling out too because of which Laudrup was left out of the CL final match against Milan. Ridiculous decision because of which Milan won 4-0. He was basically saying he doesn't have to prove himself as a manager anymore and he doesn't see himself being a football manager when he's 60, and he's more than content to manage clubs like Swansea. (With all due respect to them)

While this may turn out to be just sweet talk, but it's fascinating to see a football legend, not having the drive and the desire to duke it out with the best. Think of what he might have become, if he had C. Ronaldo like desire and work ethic (Before any Messi fans jumps on me, I only put Ronaldo because it seems he wants it more on the field)
 
fishfingers15 said:
Some honour that, the best foreign player to play in Spain. He was competing with some major players, Zidane, Redondo, Ronaldo (the real one) etc.

His comments about not wanting to manage Barcelona or some major job in club football was interesting. It's often said that Laudrup as a player, never gave his 100% on the pitch. I think Cryuff once said that he gives only 80% but that's good enough for most opponents, and they had a falling out too because of which Laudrup was left out of the CL final match against Milan. Ridiculous decision because of which Milan won 4-0. He was basically saying he doesn't have to prove himself as a manager anymore and he doesn't see himself being a football manager when he's 60, and he's more than content to manage clubs like Swansea. (With all due respect to them)

While this may turn out to be just sweet talk, but it's fascinating to see a football legend, not having the drive and the desire to duke it out with the best. Think of what he might have become, if he had C. Ronaldo like desire and work ethic (Before any Messi fans jumps on me, I only put Ronaldo because it seems he wants it more on the field)
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Cryuff elaborates a bit here

(Cruyff on Laudrup's lack of killer instinct during matches): "Had Michael been born in a poor ghetto in Brazil or Argentina with the ball being his only way out of poverty he would today be recognised as the biggest genius of the game ever. He had all the abilities to reach it but lacked this ghetto-instinct, which could have driven him there."[30]
 
To those who played with and against him, he's often described as the greatest ever.

However, when you even suggest such a notion to your average football fan, you just don't get taken seriously, which shows to an extent how much media exposure drives the 'opinion' of most people. The "5-0 5-0" swing is an incredible statistic.

Laudrup demands serious consideration in these 'best ever' threads, but you just never see it.
 
fishfingers15 said:
Some honour that, the best foreign player to play in Spain. He was competing with some major players, Zidane, Redondo, Ronaldo (the real one) etc.

His comments about not wanting to manage Barcelona or some major job in club football was interesting. It's often said that Laudrup as a player, never gave his 100% on the pitch. I think Cryuff once said that he gives only 80% but that's good enough for most opponents, and they had a falling out too because of which Laudrup was left out of the CL final match against Milan. Ridiculous decision because of which Milan won 4-0. He was basically saying he doesn't have to prove himself as a manager anymore and he doesn't see himself being a football manager when he's 60, and he's more than content to manage clubs like Swansea. (With all due respect to them)

While this may turn out to be just sweet talk, but it's fascinating to see a football legend, not having the drive and the desire to duke it out with the best. Think of what he might have become, if he had C. Ronaldo like desire and work ethic (Before any Messi fans jumps on me, I only put Ronaldo because it seems he wants it more on the field)
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I think its unfair to characterise Laudrup as lacking drive and I feel, personally, that Cruyff's words about Laudrup were more of an attempt to justify his decision to sell Laudrup.

Laudrup plays it cool but if he didn't have a bit of a chip on his shoulder he wouldn't have rocked up at Real Madrid after playing for Barca (and he would've gone to Euro 92). He went to Madrid to stick it to Cruyff and prove that he had the goods and he was right. Laudrup himself denies it but having played for Barcelona he knew exactly what it meant to go to Madrid.

I think its wrong to insinuate that Laudrup failed to give 100 per cent and that had he applied himself more he would have been better. I think that understates his achievements.
 
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