Kristian O'Leary: 'It is great to be back at Swansea City'
KRISTIAN O'Leary has rejoined the club he served for 15 years as a player after landing a role on Michael Laudrup's Swansea City coaching staff.
Swansea stalwart O'Leary made nearly 350 appearances for the club before departing in the spring of 2010.
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Kristian O'Leary
Now 34, he returns to the Liberty Stadium as a coach whose chief job will be to oversee the development of Swansea's young professionals and a new under-21 reserve side.
"It's great to be back at my club," said the former Swansea captain.
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"It was the July 4, 1994 when I started my apprenticeship at Swansea, and I cannot express how proud I am to be involved with the club again.
"When I left Swansea as a player I had a little spell at Wrexham and I had a couple of offers that summer to stay on at Wrexham or stay in the league.
"But I made the decision then to come out of that and concentrate on the next stage of my career which was coaching.
"I did my licences and I have been studying for a degree in coaching performance.
"Then I got the opportunity to manage Neath, and coming back to Swansea is the next stage for me."
O'Leary, who first joined Swansea as a schoolboy 20 years ago, will work with players who have graduated from the club's youth ranks but are not ready to move straight into Laudrup's first team.
The Premier League's reserve league is to become an under-21 competition from this season, and O'Leary will run that side in conjunction with Swansea youth boss Tony Pennock. Alan Curtis, who has been working with Swansea's development players in recent years, is set for a new role in Laudrup's backroom team.
"When I started out in coaching, the one club I wanted to be working for was Swansea," added O'Leary, who left his role as Neath manager earlier this summer because of the club's financial problems.
"A lot of people thought when I went to Neath that I had gone there to put my feet up, but I went there with a plan to start out as a coach and I have worked hard to get where I am.
"Coming back to Swansea, trying to help the younger players develop and working with the some of the first-teamers, is the next step for me."
O'Leary met Laudrup for the first time yesterday along with other members of Swansea's coaching staff.
"We had a chat about what he expects, how he works and what his plans are for the club," he explained.
Swansea chairman Huw Jenkins welcomed the return of one of the club's finest servants.
"We are delighted Kristian has accepted the opportunity to work with our young players," he said.
"Kristian's relationship with this football club goes back 20 years and we know what Swansea City means to him.
"It's vital our staff have the passion and commitment for this club because it sets the right example and environment for all our players to work in on a daily basis."
Comments
by Cwmdu
Friday, July 06 2012, 4:08PM
“Who the hell is Andrew dyer & what football league clubs did he play for ??”
by Neath_boy
Friday, July 06 2012, 3:11PM
“Well done Kristian and also congratulations to Al Curtis. Kristian is there to develop the youth/reserve side along with Mr Pennock. He seems to have taken to the coaching role so well done. He did do well at Neath considering, and is in no way to blame for the demise of that club.”
by hacker_jack
Friday, July 06 2012, 12:08PM
“Andrew Dyer did wonders at Afon Lido? Well if you count 10th out of 12 as wonders I guess.”
by reddylad
Friday, July 06 2012, 9:30AM
“they sacked the Last Neath Manager [stabbed in back ] Before This Kristian, After he took them to Europe And Didnt that Andrew Dyer Do wonders with Afon Lido after getting booted from Neath They Actually Beat Neath , next thing we will have the Boyos from the Valleys signing for the swans if this is going to be the course of things to come .”
by hacker_jack
Friday, July 06 2012, 9:09AM
“Actually Neath did reasonably well under his stewardship, finishing 3rd I believe. He had no real involvement in the finances.
Anyway, just announced today that Alan Curtis has been promoted to work with Laudrup and Larsen on the first team. Congratulations to Alan.”
by GorsseinonJoe
Thursday, July 05 2012, 4:46PM
“mickydirtbag.....Leighton James???????? Unfortunately Leighton WAS a good player even though the Swans had to bring him back from Burnley (?).
He knows more about cricket than football these days and is very supportive of that sport locally I believe.”
by MickyDirtbag
Thursday, July 05 2012, 4:26PM
“Are you trying to tell me that Mr Laudrip with all his wordly football knowledge and contacts has even heard of Kristian O'Leary let alone is happy to have him on his coaching staff?????
Why not have your brother or Peter Schmeichal on the staff or other Danish legends like John Jensen or Tomos Brolin???
As for O'leary himself I only remember him to be a liability, getting sent off or giving away pens in the lower leagues. What on earth can he teach world class players like Orlandi and Taylor???
Also he is not a local lad (he's from Britton Ferry, miles away) and as for being a one club I remember him playing for Wrexham and Neath????
Why dont we go for local legends like Leighton James or as we call him in the Bond Street Club - The Welsh George Best...
Man up Laudrip and get your own staff in.”
by GorsseinonJoe
Thursday, July 05 2012, 3:57PM
“Hope the Swans have a confidentiality clause in the contract, I hear Kristian is a bit loose tongued on times, you hear some interesting insider info. being given FOC.
Allegedly.”
by trncjack
Thursday, July 05 2012, 3:24PM
“daiswan , I think Laudrup picked his assistant , which is fair enough , but the rest would be up to hj, and i am sure we are on the right lines here.”
by daiswan
Thursday, July 05 2012, 11:27AM
“Why O'leary? He was a long and faithful servant but... Monk and Tate should be groomed for a Pascoe/Curtis role, retain Curtis as an ambassador (like Bobby Charlton) and Laudrup has room to bring in his own choice of assistant etc! Ooops sounds like HJ now sorting out the structure for Laudrup! Alright for us to express an opinion but bit worried about HJ firing all the shots even before Laudrup starts!”