'Hurt' Michael Laudrup reveals he was offered stunning Swansea City return

Laudrup says Swansea offered him a return years after his 2014 sacking but he declined, believing a comeback could never replicate his initial success.

Michael Laudrup has revealed he was offered the chance to return to Swansea City years after being dismissed in 2014, but turned down the opportunity. The Dane managed the Swans from 2012 to 2014, delivering the club's first major trophy when they won the League Cup in 2013, beating Bradford City 5-0 in the final. He also guided them to a top-half Premier League finish and European qualification. Laudrup was sacked midway through the following season with the club struggling in the league while competing in the Europa League. "That was tough, especially after the successful season we'd had," he said. When Swansea approached him about a return, Laudrup declined. "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." Laudrup has not worked as a coach since leaving Al Rayyan in Qatar in 2018.