Michael Laudrup's name sits comfortably among football's all-time greats. As a player, the Danish maestro claimed league titles in Italy and Spain and lifted the Champions League trophy with Barcelona. He earned over a century of international caps before retiring in 1998 — and then turned his attention to the dugout.

His managerial journey began at Brondby, where he delivered a domestic double, before he steered an unfancied Getafe side to the Copa del Rey final and the quarter-finals of the UEFA Cup. In 2012, he arrived at Swansea City and etched his name into the club's history books.

From Getafe to Swansea

Laudrup served as an assistant coach with the Danish national team at the 2002 World Cup before embarking on a managerial career that quickly drew attention. His time with Getafe, in particular, offered a window into the philosophy that would define his work in the dugout.