Morten Wieghorst had no hesitation when the opportunity came to work with one of his footballing heroes at Swansea, even if it meant putting his own managerial aspirations on hold.
The former Denmark and Celtic midfielder has been unveiled as Michael Laudrup's assistant manager at the Liberty Stadium, signing a deal through to the summer of 2014, although he will not be on the bench for Saturday's game against QPR.
"I know the way he wants to play football and when he called there was no hesitation," Wieghorst said. "Swansea are a club that are going places with a very good manager, and to get the chance to work with such quality players in the Premier League was a huge attraction."
Erik Larsen has been working as Laudrup's right-hand man so far this season, but will now take on a greater responsibility for international scouting while Alan Curtis will remain as a first-team coach. Wieghorst has been in charge of the Denmark Under-21 side, and Swansea will allow him to take charge of their two fixtures in March, and potentially a further game in June.
During his playing career he featured alongside Laudrup for Denmark, before becoming one of his compatriot's first signings for Brondby in 2002. And the 41-year-old was eager to link up with his former international team-mate again.
He said: "I had the pleasure to play with Michael in the national team some years ago and he brought me back to Brondby. I was getting on and late in my career but I still learned a lot as a player from him. I really enjoyed playing under him."
Wieghorst had guided the Denmark Under-21s to the brink of qualification for this summer's European Championship, before they were dumped out in the play-offs by defending champions Spain. He also recorded back-to-back Danish Cup triumphs during a five-year spell in charge of Nordsjaelland.
Laudrup is delighted to have his compatriot on board and revealed Wieghorst's managerial experience and stint in Britain with Dundee and Celtic were factors in his appointment.
"I know Morten, I played with him at World Cup 98, I coached him as a player and watched him as a manager. I also had some inside information as my son Andreas has played for him," he said.
"I had other options but I wanted an assistant who had experience of being in charge as a manager himself, and all the candidates had that experience and he has experience of British football."
Source: PA
