Goalscoring hero Michu has pleaded for manager Michael Laudrup to stay with Swansea City as the club prepare to meet Bradford in today’s League Cup final.
Much like his manager, there were few expectations for the Spaniard to deal with when he arrived in south Wales having joined from Rayo Vallecano in a deal worth a little over £2 million last summer.
But Michu has proven to be the bargain buy of this, or any, season, racking up 18 goals in all competitions to fire Swansea into the top half of the Premier League table, to a first major cup final and put himself in contention for a call-up to Spain’s national team.
The success achieved by Laudrup and Michu since their arrivals has seen both linked with moves away from the Liberty Stadium.
Michu quashed some of the speculation over his future by signing a new improved contract through to 2016 in January, but Laudrup’s deal currently only runs to 2014.
Swansea chairman Huw Jenkins is keen to tie the Dane to a longer contract, and Laudrup’s agent has indicated talks will take place shortly.
The 48-year-old has asked that any negotiations be put back until after the final, but he has been continually linked with Real Madrid, Chelsea and Manchester City, with a poll in Spanish newspaper AS revealing 72 per cent of Real fans want him to replace Jose Mourinho this summer.
But Michu hopes his manager will still be in charge next season, particularly if victory today sends the Welsh club into the Europa League.
“He (Laudrup) has been good for me,” said the 26-year-old.
“He was good as a player, and very good as a coach. He is one of the best I have had in my career and I am very happy with him.
“He has taught me many things, he gives you a good feeling on the pitch and the chance to play well, he is good for all the players.
“It would be good if he would stay. We are really happy with him but we know like a player you want to grow, go to top clubs, play finals and win titles.
“I have read that he has been mentioned with Real Madrid but I want him to stay here.”