Duff’s new-look Swans set-up now taking shape
SWANSEA City have named Alan Sheehan and Martin Paterson as assistant coaches to new boss Michael Duff.
Paterson has followed Duff to SA1 from Barnsley, where he worked as the Northern Irishman’s assistant, having played alongside him during the pair’s days at Burnley.
After hanging his boots up as a player, he started his coaching career at American side the Tampa Bay Rowdies in July 2018, before moving to be assistant coach at USL League One club Fort Lauderdale CF.
He then moved to David Beckham’s Inter Miami in January 2022, where he once again worked as an assistant coach, before making the move to link up with Duff at Barnsley seven months later.
Sheehan, meanwhile, joins having worked as first-team coach under
Nathan Jones at Luton Town and Southampton.
Both have started their roles with immediate effect and have already travelled out to the club’s warmweather training camp in Spain.
After the exit of Dean Thornton, the club are understood to be hopeful of appointing a new goalkeeping coach by the end of next week.
There’s also a position in the club’s analysis department to be filled following the departure of Ben Parker, who’s followed Thornton in joining Russell Martin at Southampton.
First-team coach Kris O’Leary is among those set to carry on in their current roles, having received assurances from the club’s hierarchy, and has been seen as a key part in helping Duff settle into his new role at the Swansea.com Stadium.
Meanwhile, Leicester City are reportedly showing “strong interest” in Swans striker Joel Piroe.
The Telegraph have revealed the Dutchman is one of four names the Foxes are seriously looking at as they plan for life back in the Championship.
Relegated last season, Leicester will hope to bounce straight back up to the top flight at the first time of asking and their recruitment targets would certainly help them in their quest.
Tottenham’s Harry Winks, Wolves centre-back Conor Coady and Manchester City keeper Zack Steffen are all on the east Midlands side’s wanted list, along with Piroe, who they have “strong interest in”.
The former PSV man has been linked with the Foxes before, who now have ex-City coach Enzo Maresca in charge.
Piroe’s form in the Championship has caught the attention of a number of teams, including sides in the top flight and in Serie A.
Heading into the last year of his contract, Swansea are likely to cash in this summer for fear of losing the striker for free next year.