Is Laudrup The Man To Take Swansea Forward?

Michael Laudrup is the latest favourite to take over as Swansea City's new boss at the Liberty Stadium, as Vital Swansea look at the latest candidates for the job.

Since Brendan Rodgers' move to Liverpool a week ago, we've pretty much seen a new name and new bookies' favourite for the job each day.

Wigan Athletic and former Swansea assistant manager Graeme Jones was the early hot favourite as reports suggested that the board were going to make a quick appointment with the 42 year-old, but his link was soon ruled out as speculation suggested that he didn't want to take his first full management role - preferring to stay on as Roberto's number 2 at the DW Stadium.

While Brighton's Gus Poyet has been briefly mentioned, automatically somewhat thanks to his strong links with the job when Brendan Rodgers was appointed two years ago, Blackpool's Ian Holloway was the next favourite. Receiving a mixed opinion from the Swans fans, if rumours are to be believed (and we've seen plenty of them), he'll be staying with the Seasiders. Some fans were turned off by Ian because of his comedian-like attitude, as well as his failure to keep Blackpool in the Premier League last season. Regardless, Blackpool fans will hope to breath a huge sigh of relief soon when his future at the club is confirmed.

Following Ian Holloway was a more glamourous name in the world of football, none other than World Cup and Euro Cup (with France) winner Marcel Desailly. His odds dropped rapidly recently before another former European legend was linked - Dennis Bergkamp. He joined him in the ever-growing list of candidates amongst the bookies. They seem to know as much about who will take the manager's job at Swansea as the Queen knows about N-Dubz. Some names have made their way up the list by made-up rumours on twitter - Bergkamp probably one of them - Desailly possibly too? Who knows.

One name that does seem to have more substance behind it though is Danish legend Michael Laudrup. Regarded as one of the best players of the 90's, the 47 year-old is currently out of work after quitting his job at RCD Mallorca. His agent says that they have received no contact from the Swans but he has been on the favourites list ever since Rodgers left - and right now he has the shortest odds to be his successor.

So with all these rumours flying about, what do we actually know? Ian Holloway and Graeme Jones have both had talks apparently, while Huw Jenkins says that the club could look abroad for their new boss.

'I will consider anybody wherever they are from, because what matters is whether they can do the job properly for us.

There are probably three or four good managers out there in this country.

'Then you could talk about any manager in Spain or Holland and they would probably feel they had the ability to do the job that we want.

'There are managers out there with the right philosophy, but what's important then is that we find the one with the right personality as well.'

The Evening Post report that Jenkins has flown out to Europe this week, but for a holiday rather than for talks with any managerial targets. However, his work will continue as he looks to quickly get someone in place ahead of pre-season training.

Regarding the timing, Jenkins added:

'We will see how a few different things go, but there is no need to panic,'

'You look around at other clubs. West Brom have been without a manager for a month and Liverpool took their time before appointing Brendan.

'The one good thing about Brendan leaving was the timing. It wasn't as if the speculation carried on all summer and then he left just before a new season started.

'He has gone early in the close season so we have got a bit of time to find his successor before things really start to get going again.'

The bookies' favourites for Swansea City's new manager changes each day folks. Today it's Michael Laudrup at around 6/4(odds on with others), who will tomorrow's new favourite be? Gianfranco Zola? Gus Poyet? Who knows!

The rumours are inevitable, but just remember, Brendan Rodgers wasn't even mentioned before he emerged out of the blue to take the job. Could the same happen again?

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