Quiet revolution for Laudrup

The Tour de France is not the only sporting event where the leaders wear yellow jerseys. The same colour scheme has also brought luck to the Danish footballers of Brøndby IF, who just managed to stay clear of the peloton in the final stages of last season and duly rolled over the finishing line to claim their ninth league title.

Goal difference
Yet there had been no indication that the title race would develop into such a thriller as Åge Hareide's side went into the second part of the season with a commanding ten-point over bitter rivals FC København. However, as Brøndby hit a slump in form, København launched a terrific comeback before Tom Köhlert finally stepped in to replace Hareide to steady the Brøndby boat and seal the title on goal difference.

Laudrup returns
Today there's a new man in town. Michael Laudrup decided to step down as assistant Danish national coach following Denmark's exit in the FIFA World Cup to take charge of the club where he played under his father, Finn, at the beginning of the 1980s.

European dream
Indeed Laudrup now hopes he can transmit the class and vision which were so evident when he graced the pitch on to his role as coach and lead Brøndby into a new era, just like his father did when he helped plant the first seeds of professionalism at the club to help Brøndby become a familiar member on the European football map.

Surplus to requirements
Laudrup certainly did not waste any time stamping his authority on the club where he kicked off his career as a 17-year-old. The former Danish international's first act, following his appointment to replace Köhlert, was to put half-a-dozen players up for sale - defenders Kenneth Rasmussen and Peter Degn plus midfield players Magnus Svensson, Oumar Barro, Peter Foldgast and Mikkel Jensen were the unlucky men considered surplus to requirements.

Brazilian system
Laudrup, it seems, plans to introduce a Brazilian-style 3-4-3 system, with Morten Wieghorst, who has recovered from serious illness to return to the Danish capital from Celtic FC, to provide the crucial link between midfield and attack. Ruben Bagger will provide the fire power up front with last season's joint leading scorer in the Danish league, Kasper Dalgas, who has been purchased on a four-year contract.

The right track
That is certainly an ambitious plan in itself, especially with the qualifying rounds of the UEFA Champions League right around the corner, but Laudrup and Brøndby seem to be on the right track judging from their 1-0 win in the Danish Super Cup final against Odense BK.

'Plenty of chances'
"It's only 22 days since we began our preparations for the new season but in only three weeks the players have already understood in which direction I want to go," said Laudrup after that match. "During our latest friendlies we have had plenty of chances without capitalising on them and that is something we have to improve if we want to make an impact in Europe"

Low profile
The coach plans to keep a low profile on the bench in contrast to assistant coach, John "Faxe" Jensen. "John has got quite a hot temper while I am more of an analyser," explained Laudrup. "Therefore you certainly won't see me running up and down the touchline during a match, I'll leave that to John."

Famous achievement
Laudrup may now be dreaming of repeating former national team- mate Morten Olsen's accomplishment when he led Brøndby to the semi-finals of the UEFA Cup in the 1990s - the club's finest ever performance. With Brazilian flair set to hit the Superligaen, it could be yet another triumph for the men in yellow.