Swansea boss play down Real Madrid move

Michael Laudrup admits he is flattered by speculation linking him with a Real Madrid move but has reiterated he intends to stay at Swansea next season after their Capital One Cup success.



The Dane has enjoyed an outstanding debut season in South Wales so far, leading the Swans to league cup glory on Sunday when they thumped League Two Bradford 5-0 in the final at Wembley.



He has also kept the Welsh side on course for a top-10 Premier League finish while earning plaudits for maintaining their flowing, attacking brand of football.



Laudrup has been linked with a move to the Bernabeu as Jose Mourinho's replacement in the summer on the back of his success, with a poll conducted by Spanish newspaper AS finding that 78 per cent of 40,000 Madrid supporting voters that took part would prefer him over Rafael Benitez and Carlo Ancelotti.

But, while grateful for that recognition, the manager says he intends to see out the remaining year on his contract at Swansea and will not be drawn on his future beyond that.



The former Barcelona ace told Sky Sports: "I am proud of that because there were 40,000 voters and it's 78 per cent in front of two huge names like Rafael Benitez and Carlo Ancelotti, who have won league titles in Italy and Spain and the Champions League. So I'm very grateful.



"But I can't really say anything more. There will always be rumours but this time it's positive rumours about one club or another club.



"I can only sustain what I've said before - my intention is to stay here, I have one more year (on my) contract. And that's it.



"I've been part of this - football - since the beginning of the 1980s so I know it's like that. I'll cope with it and I'll probably have a lot of questions about this probably every Thursday when I have a press conference until the end of the season. But that's a part of it."



Asked if he is planning to sit down with Swansea bosses to discuss a long-term deal in the near future, Laudrup added: "I've said I'd like to stay here but again, even if you have a 10-year deal, there will always be rumours.



"My intention is to stay here next year, that's the only thing I can say really."

Michu asks Laudrup to stay

Michu helped fire Swansea to Wembley glory and then told manager Michael Laudrup to ignore any potential suitors and lead the Welsh club back into European competition.



The 26-year-old forward netted his 19th goal of a superb debut campaign in English football, side-footing Swansea's second beyond Bradford keeper Matt Duke as part of an emphatic 5-0 Capital One Cup final triumph.



Man of the match Nathan Dyer and Jonathan de Guzman grabbed a brace apiece, the Dutchman getting his first after Duke had brought him down in the area and been dismissed by referee Kevin Friend.



Success at Wembley saw Swansea secure their first major piece of silverware, and also earns them a place in the Europa League.



That means a first taste of European football since 1991, but question marks remain over whether Laudrup will be the man to lead them as the Dane continues to be linked with some of the biggest jobs on the continent.



But, having brought Swansea so far, Michu believes it is only right Laudrup sees them through their next challenge.



"The gaffer here has done great in his first season," he said. "But I have gone up to Michael and said 'stay with us now we are in Europe'.



"I know other people will want him. He is really good, doing really well and maybe he can go with another club, but I hope he will stay here.



"We are growing up really fast and it is always difficult for a club of our size to win a trophy.



"But I think now we are going to play in Europe we can bring in some very good players and can be a stronger team next season."



Michu sympathised with Bradford as their hiding condemned them to the heaviest defeat suffered by any side in a League Cup final, but acknowledged the key moment of Swansea's route to Wembley had come in their 2-0 win at Stamford Bridge in the first leg of their semi-final against Chelsea.



He said: "We scored five, which is never easy to do.



"It was a great performance because Bradford have been very impressive in this competition.



"But the most important game for us was against Chelsea in the semi-final. We are here because of the way we played at Stamford Bridge."

Laudrup poised for Swansea talks

Swansea manager Michael Laudrup will begin contract talks with the club's board in the coming days, according to his agent.



Laudrup's existing deal runs until the end of next season but Swans chairman Huw Jenkins confirmed last week he would like to extend the Dane's deal by 12 months.



Laudrup is happy in south Wales but recently stated his focus is on the present rather than the future and is in no rush to negotiate new terms.



Nevertheless, Laudrup's agent Bayram Tutumlu told Danish newspaper Ekstra Bladet: "Yes, Swansea has a strong interest in extending Michael Laudrup's contract.



"In the coming days, we will meet with Swansea and discuss the possibility of an extension."



Laudrup is enjoying a good first season in charge of Swansea after replacing Brendan Rodgers in June.



The 48-year-old has led the Swans into the top half of the Barclays Premier League table and they are already just three points shy of the 40 widely regarded as the mark required to avoid relegation.



Laudrup has also guided Swansea to the Capital One Cup final at Wembley later this month, where they will face Bradford.