Michael Laudrup: Swansea have to recruit in the summer
- Published
Michael Laudrup says Swansea City have a lot of work to do in the summer to build on their 2012-13 success.
Swans are guaranteed a top-10 Premier League finish in spite of the 2-1 defeat to Manchester United in Sir Alex Ferguson's last game in charge at Old Trafford.
The Welsh club have also qualified for Europe by winning the Capital One Cup.
"We'll have to bring some new players in to strengthen our squad because next year will be difficult," said Laudrup.
"We have to try to consolidate ourselves where we are right now and we'll have European games as well, so there's a lot of work to do in the summer."
First on the order of business could be retaining the services of top-scorer Michu while speculation continues to surround defender Ashley Williams.
Michu's second-half strike at Old Trafford was the midfielder's 18th Premier League goal of the season, underlining his status as one of the transfer bargains of the season having signed for Swansea last summer for £2m.
The Spaniard signed a one-year contract extension in January, which Laudrup believes underlines his commitment to the Swans.
"I think he wants to stay," said Laudrup.
"He extended his contract a couple of months ago so he wants to stay ... now we still have one match to go."
A point in that match against Fulham at the Liberty Stadium on Sunday, 19 May would guarantee Swansea ninth-place, while a win could see them overtake West Bromwich Albion in eighth place.
Laudrup, who has been linked with the Everton role vacated by Ferguson's successor David Moyes, was pleased with the part his team played "a special game" to mark Ferguson's farewell to Old Trafford.
"I said to them, it's a celebration it's a special game," he added.
"For us it was a game where we could just relax, we have done what we should this season.
"We're ninth and we will stay there and we've won a cup, so it's been a fantastic year for us.
"But still, during the 90 minutes we had to give everything. We had to try to win.
"I think first half they were much better than us, but second half I think we did great and maybe we could have deserved a little more."
However, the Dane does not intend emulating Ferguson's 26-year reign at one club.
"If you're talking about the length of his managerial career I'll never do that," laughed Laudrup.
"But I have a lot of respect for [Ferguson spending] so many years at the same club, that's unique.
"It's a lifetime we're talking about with Sir Alex and Man United."
- Published12 May 2013
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