Sheehan stays on at Swansea as new coaches arrive

Alan Sheehan has agreed to remain in charge at Swansea City until the end of the season and has added to his staff with the appointments of Mark Fotheringham and Richard Stearman.

Sheehan has taken seven points from five games since being named caretaker head coach after Luke Williams left the Championship club in mid-February.

The Irishman, 38, will stay in place until the summer after Swansea agreed to bring in two coaches he selected.

Fotheringham, 41, had a brief spell as Huddersfield Town boss in 2022-23 and has also coached in Germany and his native Scotland.

Englishman Stearman, 37, arrives from National League side Solihull Moors, where he has been coaching since calling time on a 20-year playing career last summer.

Sheehan had made it clear to Swansea's hierarchy that he wanted the club to strengthen their coaching staff if he was to remain in place.

"We're delighted Alan has agreed to take the team for the rest of the season, and would like to extend a big welcome to Mark and Richard who have chosen to join our coaching staff in support of Alan," said Swansea director of football Richard Montague.

"Both will aid us in our efforts to finish the season as strongly as possible, which is the full focus of everyone at the club at this moment."

Sheehan has been working alongside coach Kristian O'Leary, goalkeeping coach Martyn Margetson and under-21 boss Anthony Wright following Williams' exit.

Wright will now return to his under-21 role on a full-time basis.

Sheehan's new-look management team are tasked with ensuring Swansea pull clear of relegation danger after what has been another challenging campaign for the Welsh club.

They were 12 points clear of the drop zone following victory over Middlesbrough just over a fortnight ago, but defeats to Watford and Burnley mean the gap is down to six points.

Sheehan's side face a daunting trip to leaders Leeds United this Saturday as the Championship resumes after the international break.

Swansea will reassess their managerial situation in the summer, with Sheehan - who also had a temporary stint in charge last season - now having an extended chance to prove that he is the man to lead the club in the long-term.

The former Luton Town and Southampton coach had hoped to be given an extended contract already, but Swansea have kept their options open for now.

After going to Leeds, Sheehan's side face potentially pivotal home fixtures against relegation-threatened Derby County and Plymouth Argyle.

Swansea then have another testing away game, at Sunderland, before Easter fixtures at home to Hull City and at Queens Park Rangers.

They return to London to face Millwall in the penultimate game of the season before a final-day home fixture against Oxford United.

Sheehan has got his wish, to an extent, after expressing concern that Swansea had staff "filling in" after Williams left the club alongside coaches Ryan Harley and George Lawtey.

While Sheehan had spoken of the need for "permanent roles for permanent people with a permanent plan", he has at least got help in the shape of Fotheringham and Stearman.

Former midfielder Fotheringham played for a host of clubs including Dundee, Norwich City, Freiburg and Notts County, with Sheehan among his team-mates at Meadow Lane.

He is a former assistant to boss Felix Magath at Hertha Berlin and also worked at Ingolstadt, Kalsruher and Cowdenbeath before being appointed Huddersfield manager, though he was sacked after only four months in charge at the John Smith's Stadium.

His most recent job was as part of South Korea's coaching staff under Jurgen Klinsmann.

Ex-England Under-21 defender Stearman retired as a player last summer having played almost 600 senior games.

He is best known for his spells with Leicester City - where he played alongside Sheehan - and Wolverhampton Wanderers, but also represented Ipswich Town, Fulham, Sheffield United, Huddersfield and Derby before dropping down to Solihull.

Stearman was part of the Solihull squad who reached Wembley twice in 2023-24 only to be beaten in the National League play-off final and FA Trophy final.

He leaves a Moors side who are currently 17th in the fifth tier.