Premier League Swansea City named former Danish footballer MICHAEL LAUDRUP Manager, marking his "first move into British football." Laudrup marked his 48th birthday by signing a two-year contract to succeed BRENDAN RODGERS, who is now the boss at Liverpool. Swansea Chair HUW JENKINS was "keen to attract a big-name recruit to the club but, more importantly, to secure a manager who would maintain the passing philosophy that earned promotion to the Premier League and a comfortable mid-table finish last term." That style, and the prospect of "greater managerial control" than he received in Spain and Russia, "produced the coup" of Laudrup moving to south Wales (London GUARDIAN, 6/15). ... Poland coach FRANCISZEK SMUDA has announced he is to leave his post following the co-host's elimination from Euro 2012. Smuda said, "This is 100% the end of the road. My contract runs out at the end of Euro 2012." He added: "We did what we could do. It is the end of this great adventure" (BBC, 6/16). ... Russia Football Coach DICK ADVOCAAT has announced his exit following their elimination from Euro 2012. Advocaat will take over coaching duties for Eredivisie side PSV Eindhoven (GAZETA ESPORTIVA, 6/17). ... Greek side Panathinaikos Head Coach JESUALDO FERREIRA has extended his contract through June '14. He has been coaching the side since Nov. '10 (ABOLA.PT, 6/18).
