MARK Gower has taken a swipe at Michael Laudrup, claiming the Swansea City manager "went back on his word" and "doesn't like players over the age of 30".
Gower's outburst comes as he prepares to sever all ties with Swansea when his contract expires this summer.
The 34-year-old has spent the tail-end of the season on loan in the Championship with Charlton Athletic.
And Gower, who has admitted he is now looking to secure a permanent move to a club in his native South East, has fired a parting shot at Laudrup.
"The horrible thing for me at Swansea was the manager had made his mind up that I was not part of his plans before he'd even seen me play, which is not very nice," Gower said.
"When a new boss comes in you want the opportunity to impress. But from day one he said he doesn't like players over the age of 30 and he brought in two or three midfield players.
"So from being involved - either starting or on the bench - I went from second or third choice to fourth, fifth or sixth."
Gower had been a regular part of Brendan Rodgers's matchday squads, but he managed just one substitute appearance in the league under Laudrup - on the opening day of the season at Queens Park Rangers.
Gower's only other Swansea games this term came in the Capital One Cup against Barnsley and Crawley.
"When the cup games came around it meant an opportunity to impress," Gower told the South London Press.
"The manager said it was important for the fringe players to use the cup to get some games under their belt, but all of a sudden we drew Liverpool away and those lads were out again.
"He kind of went back on his word.
"The writing was on the wall from day one - I just didn't know it then. That is the only disappointment I've got from Swansea - out of the five years there were four really good ones."
Gower's family have left Wales and, though his contract runs until the end of June, it is thought unlikely that he will return to the Liberty even after the Championship season ends next weekend.
"It's no secret that I'd like to find a club either London or Essex way, so if the (Charlton) manager feels I'm in his plans I'd love to stay," he added.
"But if I don't (get a contract) I'll still be grateful for the opportunity that Charlton have given me. I was just rotting at Swansea.
"I needed new surroundings to get myself fit and get my hunger back.
"When you train all week knowing you're not going to be involved at the weekend it is difficult. It was the manager's policy not to play his senior players in the under-21 league.
"He put on sessions and training but there is nothing like games.
"I did play a couple, but my head and heart weren't really in it after a certain amount of time.
"The manager has brought in his own players and they have done well. The club have moved on - it is time for me to move on as well."
Gower's outburst comes as he prepares to sever all ties with Swansea when his contract expires this summer.
The 34-year-old has spent the tail-end of the season on loan in the Championship with Charlton Athletic.
And Gower, who has admitted he is now looking to secure a permanent move to a club in his native South East, has fired a parting shot at Laudrup.
"The horrible thing for me at Swansea was the manager had made his mind up that I was not part of his plans before he'd even seen me play, which is not very nice," Gower said.
"When a new boss comes in you want the opportunity to impress. But from day one he said he doesn't like players over the age of 30 and he brought in two or three midfield players.
"So from being involved - either starting or on the bench - I went from second or third choice to fourth, fifth or sixth."
Gower had been a regular part of Brendan Rodgers's matchday squads, but he managed just one substitute appearance in the league under Laudrup - on the opening day of the season at Queens Park Rangers.
Gower's only other Swansea games this term came in the Capital One Cup against Barnsley and Crawley.
"When the cup games came around it meant an opportunity to impress," Gower told the South London Press.
"The manager said it was important for the fringe players to use the cup to get some games under their belt, but all of a sudden we drew Liverpool away and those lads were out again.
"He kind of went back on his word.
"The writing was on the wall from day one - I just didn't know it then. That is the only disappointment I've got from Swansea - out of the five years there were four really good ones."
Gower's family have left Wales and, though his contract runs until the end of June, it is thought unlikely that he will return to the Liberty even after the Championship season ends next weekend.
"It's no secret that I'd like to find a club either London or Essex way, so if the (Charlton) manager feels I'm in his plans I'd love to stay," he added.
"But if I don't (get a contract) I'll still be grateful for the opportunity that Charlton have given me. I was just rotting at Swansea.
"I needed new surroundings to get myself fit and get my hunger back.
"When you train all week knowing you're not going to be involved at the weekend it is difficult. It was the manager's policy not to play his senior players in the under-21 league.
"He put on sessions and training but there is nothing like games.
"I did play a couple, but my head and heart weren't really in it after a certain amount of time.
"The manager has brought in his own players and they have done well. The club have moved on - it is time for me to move on as well."
