Former Celtic defender and coach Darren O’Dea has been appointed interim manager of Swansea City following the exit of Alan Sheehan…
Darren O’Dea departed Celtic in the summer to work alongside his compatriot Sheehan, but the Swansea manager was dismissed last week after a disappointing start to their English Championship campaign.
Given Celtic’s managerial circumstances just now, McManus is interim first-team coach and Johnny Hayes is temporary B team coach.
O’Dea made 70 appearances for Celtic, netting six goals, one of which was a decisive header against theRangers in the 2009 League Cup Final at Hampden.
Now, Swansea announced O’Dea’s interim appointment in a brief update on their official website, stating: “Swansea City can confirm Darren O’Dea will be in interim charge of the men’s first team while the recruitment process for a new head coach remains ongoing.
“The 38-year-old will lead the Swans following the departure of head coach Alan Sheehan, and will be assisted by Martyn Margetson, Kris O’Leary and Richard Stearman.
“As previously outlined, the club will update supporters further on the head coach recruitment process once an appointment has been made.”
Following loan stints with Reading, Ipswich Town and Leeds United, the Republic of Ireland centre-back moved permanently to MLS outfit Toronto FC in 2012, then switched to Ukrainian club Metalurh Donetsk a year later.
O’Dea later had spells with Blackpool and Mumbai City FC, returned to Scotland with Dundee, and wrapped up his playing career at East Kilbride before beginning his coaching journey at Motherwell in 2019. Between 2009 and 2013, he made 20 appearances for the Republic of Ireland national team.
He will now be managing ex-Celtic striker Adam Idah until Swansea find a new manager.
Speculation has been mounting around former Ibrox boss Russell Martin potentially returning to Swansea. Martin was also apparently in the mix for the Norwich City job, but Philippe Clement is the new Canaries manager.
Conor Spence
