Swansea City is replacing Claude Makelele by promoting from within its ranks.
And by ranks, we mean squad.
Longtime Swans midfielder Leon Britton has been promoted to player-assistant coach by Paul Clement, replacing new Eupen manager Makelele.
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Britton, who is close to acquiring his UEFA A license, has been with the Welsh outfit since 2003. He’s made 436 appearances as the club moved from League Two all the way up to the Premier League, with just a 26-match move to Sheffield United in the middle.
From SwanseaCity.com:“I feel he is the perfect person for the role at this time. He is still very much in my plans as a player, but now we can tap into his knowledge as a coach too. He has a lot to give in that respect.
“He now sits in on all management meetings and on the days where he is not training, he will be part of the coaching set-up. Similarly, on a matchday, if he’s in the squad then his focus is on playing. If not, then he will be in the dugout as part of the coaching staff.”
The 35-year-old isn’t going to hurt anything from stepping into the coaches’ GroupMe chats, and has captained Swans during his four starts this season. It’s a natural, if unusual for this day and age, fit at the Liberty Stadium.
Swans have a history bringing players into the management fold in an even more dramatic fashion, hiring actual player Garry Monk to replace Michael Laudrup. Monk did not appear for Swans after the appointment.