Chairman Forced To Deny Player-Manager Rift

Swansea City chairman Huw Jenkins has been forced to release a statement to deny media reports suggesting that there is a rift between the players and manager Michael Laudrup.

The Daily Mail has reported that several players have held meetings with Huw Jenkins regarding his 'management methods' and that they been 'angered' by the manager's demands to change their tactical approach.

Not only that, but the newspaper also claims that they are unhappy with Laudrup's training methods compared to those of his predecessor Brendan Rodgers - with some players apparently staying on at training to keep their fitness levels up.

The reports do come as out of the blue, as you almost always hear rumours on internet message boards and social networking websites, but there's been no whispers of a possible rift between the players and management at the club in recent weeks.

Huw Jenkins completed ruled out the Daily Mail's claims, a statement from the chairman on the club's official website confirmed:

"Today's article trying to cause unrest at the club will only help to strengthen our resolve going forward.

"Michael Laudrup and his staff have the full support of everyone connected to Swansea City and will continue to do so during the long season ahead.

"No doubt from time to time outside forces beyond our control will make attempts to unsettle our football club and we have to accept that.

"Swansea City will remain solid, on and off the football field, and will continue to fight against all the odds to compete at Premier League level."

Manager Michael Laudrup also added:

"I am a little surprised by today`s story. I`ve said from the very first day I arrived here that my door is always open.

"There will always be some players disappointed if they are not playing, but that`s the same at any football club. Perhaps today`s story is a result of that.

"But we will never let these type of stories unsettle us and will continue to push this club forward.``

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