Kristian O’Leary to manage Swansea City Under-23s along with Old Gold
Carmarthen Town manager Kristian O'Leary at half time against Penybont. Penybont v Carmarthen at Bryntirion Park in the JD Cymru Premier on the 7th February 2020. Lewis Mitchell/YCPD.
Kristian O’Leary is to manage Swansea City’s Under-23s side and will combine his managerial duties alongside Carmarthen Town.
O’Leary has been manager of Carmarthen from November 2019 but suffered relegation from the Cymru Premier on the virtue of a points-per-game basis following the curtailment of the 2019/20 season. He had managed 13 games with the Old Gold, winning four matches.
The 43-year-old returns to Swansea City, where he was previously a player for 15-years, accumulating more than 300 appearances during his career.
O’Leary had formerly been the manager of the Swans’ Under-21s side in 2012 but was later moved into first-team coaching duties before departing in 2015.
In a short statement by Carmarthen, they confirmed he would continue to manage the club: “Carmarthen Town wish to congratulate Kris O’Leary on his well deserved appointment as the Manager of Swansea City AFC Under 23 team.
“However, he will continue as the Carmarthen Town manager. We are delighted that Kris is happy to do so and thank the Swans for their cooperation in this matter.”
Also joining the Swans is Byron Anthony, who will lead the Under-18s side. Anthony had previously been the academy manager of Newport County. Neil Roberts, who made four appearances for the Welsh senior team is also part of the academy restructure.
Commenting on the appointment, Swansea City’s academy director Mark Allen said: “I’m delighted to welcome Kris, Byron and Neil to the academy, with all three bringing valuable experience to an already talented group of staff.
“Allowing Jon Grey to now fully focus on the head of academy coaching role is vital to the future development of the coaching curriculum, and I’m also pleased for Anthony Wright who will be assisting Kris in the under-23s.”
Carmarthen are still unsure of whether they will play a competitive fixture this season, due to the current Welsh Government restrictions.
They have not played a competitive match since March 7 2020, owing to the COVID-19 pandemic, which has decimated the Welsh footballing pyramid.
The JD Cymru South had hoped to begin in January, having been granted ‘elite’ status by the National Sports Group of Wales in December but it was later revoked due to a rise in Coronavirus cases in Wales.
Earlier this week, the Cymru Premier and WPWL had their status reinstated however the men’s second tier remains in limbo with the only hope of resumption being a lowering of the Alert Level in Wales.
