Michael Laudrup has revealed he was offered the chance to return to Swansea City years after his dismissal, but turned it down. The former manager also admitted the manner of his sacking in 2014 'hurt'.
Successful spell in south Wales
Laudrup succeeded Brendan Rodgers to take charge of the Swans in 2012, having previously managed Real Mallorca, Spartak Moscow and Getafe. His first season in south Wales was highly successful, as he guided the club to a top-half finish in the Premier League and secured its first major trophy.
Swansea lifted the League Cup in 2013 after beating Bradford City 5-0 at Wembley, a result that also secured a place in European competition.
“It was the first major trophy in their history, and who knows when they’ll win another,” Laudrup told FourFourTwo.
“We beat Chelsea over two legs in the semi-final and Liverpool at Anfield. It was incredible, and meant so much to so many people.”
Dismissal and hurt
Laudrup was dismissed midway through the following season, with the club two points from the relegation zone having lost six out of eight league games. He described the exit as tough, particularly after the success of the previous campaign.
“That was tough, especially after the successful season we’d had,” he added. “The next year, we were still in the Europa League, about to play Napoli in the last 32. And in the league, the strain on the players sometimes affected results, but there were still a lot of teams down there, then suddenly they dismissed me. It hurt.”
Return offer declined
Laudrup went on to manage in Qatar and has not worked as a coach since leaving Al Rayyan in 2018. He said he was later given the opportunity to make a return to the club.
“A few years later, they called me to see if I wanted to go back, but I didn’t. I’m not really a believer in going back – people hope it will be like the first time, but it will never be the same.”
