Swansea duo Michael Laudrup and Michu awarded at LMA awards

Michael Laudrup has had a phenomenal season with Swansea, propelling them into the top half of the Premier League and winning the Capital One Cup, the first major trophy in Swansea’s 100-year history, while summer signing Michu has found the back of net 19 times since his £2 million signing from Rayo Vallecano.

In a survey organised by the League Managers Association, almost half of Laudrup’s peers voted for him as the outstanding coach of the year, with his score going up to 46%.

Laudrup, who has earned plaudits for his fluid style of play, recently signed a contract extension to keep him at Swansea until 2015, but when the season started, the picture was not at all rosy as the Welsh side was among the favourites to go down.

Former Liverpool and Aston Villa manager Gerard Houllier praised him, adding: “At the beginning of the season many wondered whether Swansea would be able to maintain their impressive start to Barclays Premier League life, but Michael Laudrup has come in, managed to sustain their Premier League progress and recently won the League Cup.”

Houllier continued: “Michael has probably made the shrewdest signing of the season in Michu and deserves the praise from his peers.”

Meanwhile, Michu comprehensively defeated Robin van Persie to be named the managers’ pick as the signing of the season, securing 47% of the votes, while the Manchester United forward received 35%.

Liverpool’s teenage sensation Raheem Sterling was the expected winner in the poll to find the best young player in the EPL, receiving 52% of the votes. Southampton’s Adam Lallana was the runner up, with Chelsea‘s Brazil international Oscar finishing third.