Swansea City confirm interim boss ahead of Bristol City trip after international break exit
Swansea City make the trip to Ashton Gate this weekend to face Bristol City having parted company with Alan Sheehan last week
(Image: Getty Images)
Bristol City’s Championship rivals, Swansea City, have confirmed that Darren O’Dea will be in interim charge of the club ahead of their trip to Ashton Gate to face the Robins, following the departure of Alan Sheehan.
The South Wales club confirmed last week, in the wake of their 4-1 home defeat to Ipswich Town prior to the international break, that Sheehan had been relieved of his duties as head coach. The Irishman had overseen a disappointing start to the season to leave the Swans 18th in the table and just seven points clear of the relegation zone.
In their original statement confirming Sheehan’s departure, Swansea made no mention of who would be overseeing the first team on an interim basis, leading many supporters to assume a permanent appointment would be made prior to this weekend’s trip to Ashton Gate.
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While many names, including Kim Hellberg and Vitor Matos have been linked with the vacant post, a permanent appointment has yet to be made, and the Swans have instead confirmed O’Dea – who left Celtic this summer to become Sheehan’s number two in South Wales – will take charge of the team against Gerhard Struber’s side.
In a statement shared to their website, the Swans said: ‘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.’
Saturday lunchtime’s meeting with Swansea signals the start of the run-up to the festive period for City and the rest of their Championship rivals.
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Between now and the next international break, which is scheduled for March, the Robins will play more than 20 matches in a spell that could prove definitive in the race for the play-off places.
Although the Reds produced a much-improved display against Watford last time out, they come into this weekend’s game with the aim of securing a first win in four matches, and a first three points since October. If they are to get the better of the Swans, they could end the weekend sat in the top six ahead of games away to Wrexham and Portsmouth next week.
While Struber, his coaching staff and players have had to contend with the unusual circumstances of preparing to face a team without a head coach, Thursday’s confirmation that O’Dea will take charge of the South Wales club should provide them with a little more clarity of just what to expect from the visitors.
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