Swansea move means ‘leaving the club I love’ – Darren O’Dea | OneFootball

Best of luck to Darren O’Dea who this week made a major step up in his coaching career by being named as assistant manager of Championship side Swansea City…

Darren who was a decent centre back has a long association with Celtic football club having joined the club in 2006 before going on to make 70 first team appearances scoring six goals in a six year spell in Glasgow.

The Irishman helped the club win four honours during his time including two league titles, a Scottish Cup and of course that  League Cup in which he scored the all decisive opening goal in a 2-0 extra time win over Rangers in 2009.

After a spell away from the club he returned in a coaching capacity in 2019 as he was appointed as manger of the Celtic under 18 side, before being promoted as coach of the B side and not long after he was promoted to position of head coach alongside Stephen McManus.

Darren was popular figure and clearly had a talent for coaching. In a reshuffle last season Darren was appointed to a new role last year which was described as a player pathway manager responsible for overseeing the development and progression of academy players into the first team. He was also responsible for the numerous Celtic players out on loan and acted as Celtic’s main point of contact with these players as they progressed their development out on loan.

15/03/09 LEAGUE CUP FINAL 2009 CELTIC v RANGERS (0-0, 2-0 aet) Celtic goalscorers Aiden McGeady (left) and Darren O’Dea celebrate with the trophy

Darren has now decided to take the next step in his coaching career and decided to take up the massive opportunity of being the number two at the Welsh side.

Swansea Head Coach  Alan Sheehan, talking about his appointment of the former Celt together with Richard Stearman as part of Alan Sheehan’s coaching staff, had this to say: “I am delighted to have Darren and Richard join the coaching staff,” Wales Online reported. “They are two guys I trust, and who have an incredible work ethic. They have shown a great desire to be here at Swansea.

“These are exactly the sort of people we need to help us move forward, and I am really happy we have been able to come to an agreement for them to join Swansea City.”

Swansea’s Director of football Richard Montague, added: “These are two very important appointments, and we are really happy to have reached these agreements in good time before the start of pre-season.

“They are two coaches with really good ideas we feel can complement what Alan brings to the table as head coach.

“Darren comes to us with an interesting background, with intensive coaching experience and knowledge of the operational side of the game at an elite club. He will add a lot to us on and off the pitch.”

Darren O’Dea of Celtic celebrates with Derek Riordan (L) after scoring during the Scottish Premier League match between Celtic and Kilmarnock at Celtic Park January 2, 2007. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)

Meanwhile Darren O’Dea posted a message of thanks to Celtic on social media after his Swansea appointment was officially confirmed. He said:

“It’s time to take another step in my career which means leaving the club I love. I’ve had an incredible time and been given the best education and there are so many people I’m grateful to. Peter, Michael, Ange, Brendan, Paul are just a few and a special mention for Chris McCart who’s always supported me so much.

“I’ll just be a fan again and I can honestly say that the club is in a great place and the people there make it what it is – family. Not a “goodbye” but a “see you again”.

We can only wish Darren the best of luck in his future endeavours.

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