Today's media round-up

In today's round-up, Michael Laudrup says that management is far harder than being a player, while Crystal Palace have been advised to follow the Swansea City model following their promotion to the Barclays Premier League.

Michael Laudrup believes that being a manger at the highest level is far harder than being a player.

The Swans boss enjoyed an illustrious playing career that took in Barcelona, Real Madrid, Ajax and Juventus.

He won league titles at all four clubs, as well as the 1995 Confederations Cup with Denmark.

After moving into management, he has coached in his native country, as well as Russia and Spain.

But it is with the Swans where he has enjoyed great success, guiding the club to ninth place in the Premier League and a first piece of silverware in his maiden season in English football.

And despite his stellar playing days, Laudrup insists management is much more difficult than life as a player. 

"It is much more difficult to be a manager than a player," he said. "The two jobs are obviously completely different. As a footballer you are one of 25. As a manager you are on your own.

"You do have the group to work with, but in the end, you are alone. You have to take the decisions and be responsible for everything."

A leading football finance expert has urged Crystal Palace to follow the Swansea City model following their promotion to the Premier League.

The Eagles secured their place amongst the elite last Monday after beating Watford in the Championship Play-Off Final at Wembley.

Kevin Phillips struck the winning goal in a game that was worth an estimated £120 million.

Since the Swans won promotion in the same fashion two years ago to the day, the club has gone from strength to strength, finishing in the top half of the table and winning the Capital One Cup.

As well as this, they have posted consistent profits amidst a financial crisis across the upper echelons of the game, and Professor Tom Cannon has lauded their achievements.

"Swansea are the role models for anybody who wants to survive, prosper and not go bankrupt," said the University of Liverpool expert.

"What's got you promoted will probably, in terms of the operation of the club, get you to survive. The temptation is to desperately plan as if you're going to compete, but you have to plan for relegation; don't plan for winning the Premier League.

"You've got to be very clever in the transfer market. You've got to make absolutely certain when signing players that you sign players with contingencies. And the motivation powers of your manager become crucial."