Laudrup on Laudrup

16th August

Danish legend Brian Laudrup makes his first visit to the Liberty Stadium on Saturday as he watches elder brother Michael pit his wits against Manchester United's new man in charge.
Former Rangers and Chelsea winger Brian is in SA1 to commentate on the match for Danish television as the Barclays Premier League kicks off with the Swans up against the defending champions - now led by David Moyes.
Having watched the Swans train on Friday morning, Brian is now looking forward to watching the Swans live at the Liberty for the first time since his brother took charge.
And, having monitored the club's success from the past few years, the 44-year-old expects another great adventure for the Swans.
"It's my first time in Swansea but I watch the games that are televised back home," said Brian, who was part of Denmark's 1992 European Championship-winning side.
"It has been a great privilege to watch the progress that Swansea have made over the past two or three seasons.
"This season is going to be very important for the club. Hopefully they will get to the Group Stages of the Europa League.
"Playing in a great league with the new players will be interesting to see if they can improve on last season, which was great for everyone."
A ninth-placed finish in the Premier League and a Capital One Cup success - the first major trophy in the club's 100-year history - ensured the Swans were guaranteed European football.
And with a clutch of new signings, including £12million striker Wilfried Bony, Laudrup has assembled a squad he hopes will be able to cope with the added demands of the Europa League Group Stages should they progress past Romanian side Petrolul Ploiesti.
And Brian - a four-time Danish Player of the Year and Confederations Cup winner in 1995 - feels the Swans are capable of coping with the demands of a busy fixture list containing domestic and European football.
"Last season, for a club the size of Swansea and having only played in the Premier League for two years, was absolutely phenomenal," added Brian, who also played for Bayern Munich, Fiorentina, AC Milan and Ajax.
"With the new players they have brought in and the prospect of making the Group Stages of the Europa League - which would be a great adventure for this club - he (Michael) is very excited.
"It's going to be difficult, but he has got great hopes and expectations for this season.
"With success comes expectations, and he knows that better than most. He brings that into management.
"But he's always been pretty calm. His feet are firmly on the ground and he knows that success comes and goes, but you have to work very hard for it."