Struggling Swans sack Laudrup

Swansea last night sacked manager Michael Laudrup — with veteran defender Garry Monk charged with rallying the team for Saturday’s Welsh derby with Cardiff.

Monk and first-team coach Alan Curtis are to take charge of first-team affairs. Early contenders for the job on a full-time basis include Oscar Garcia, in charge at Brighton, and Luis Enrique, who is coach of Spain’s Celta Vigo.

Laudrup left the club after a decision chairman Huw Jenkins said was “taken reluctantly”. The Dane was under increasing pressure with the team winning just one of their last 10 league matches, and paid the price for a slump since delivering the south Wales club’s first major trophy.