New boss Michael Laudrup vows to keep style at Swansea

Denmark legend Michael Laudrup was named as Swansea's new manager on Friday and immediately pledged to uphold the Welsh club's stylish passing game which impressed so many last season.

The 48-year-old former Barcelona and Real Madrid midfielder replaces Brendan Rodgers, who left to take over at Liverpool at the start of the month.

Laudrup won five Spanish league titles in the early 1990s, four of them with Barcelona as part of Johann Cruyff's dream team.

He was capped 104 times for Denmark and, as manager, he had spells with Brondby, Getafe, Spartak Moscow and Mallorca.

Rodgers left for Anfield on June 1 after a two-year stint with Swansea that saw him steer the Welsh club to promotion to the Premier League and secure their top-flight status with an impressive 11th-place finish last term.

"Everyone knows the style of football Swansea play and it suits my way of thinking," Laudrup said on the club's official website, www.swanseacity.net.

"I have spoken to many people about Swansea and watched a number of their games on DVD - with many more to watch."

Swansea chairman Huw Jenkins is confident the Dane can have a major impact on the English Premier League.

"Michael has a clear picture and understanding of what we require at Swansea City to build on all the good work and strides we have made over the last few years as a football club," he said.

"There is no doubt about his standing as one of the game's greatest footballers, but we also see the qualities he has as a manager.

"We see Michael as someone who is fully committed and educated in all aspects of the way we want to take the club forward.

"Our overall aim is to build on our first season in the Premier League, but we also fully understand the need to adapt our approach as we go along to remain competitive season after season.

"Part of that process is to look at new ideas and increase our knowledge on all aspects of the game to keep advancing.

"Everyone I've spoken to about Michael during the appointment process can't speak highly enough about him, not just as a football man, but as a person.

"I am confident that Michael will prove a fantastic acquisition that will help keep this football club moving forward."