Darren O’Dea is reported to be close to joining Swansea City as Assistant Manager to Alan Sheehan.
The 38-year-old has been Celtic’s Player Pathway Manager for 13 months but seems to to be looking for a return to front line coaching.
O’Dea took up the post of coaching the Celtic u-18 side in September 2019 then took up the role of co-manager of the B team playing in the Lowland League from July 2021.
Clearly ambitious to get on in coaching joining an English Championship side is a huge opportunity, as a player O’Dea turned out for Reading, Leeds and Blackburn at that level.
UPDATE: Celtic pathways manager Darren O’Dea has agreed terms with Swansea City to become their new assistant manager.
It’s understood the 38-year-old is expected to join the Championship club in the summer and will assist new boss Alan Sheehan next season. https://t.co/48GFs9D4Km pic.twitter.com/Yj2IJibYng
— Anthony Joseph (@AnthonyRJoseph) May 16, 2025
Youth development has become an increasing problem for Celtic, playing in the Lowland League hasn’t done anything to improve the first team prospects of Academy players.
After four years in the Lowland League it is unclear whether Celtic will continue at that level in the 25/26 season.
Jonny Hayes and Stephen McManus are in charge of the B team which has also played in the u-19 UEFA Youth League over the last three seasons.
The main reason the B Team don’t move forward is the gread of the supporters. We must spend spend spend, instead of moving forward the players who are just as good if not better than the dross we’ve paid £20m for, in one window. We let them walk away like lemon’s for more money?