Paul Clement has been confirmed Swansea City’s new head coach – and is bringing two assistants with him.
Clement – who has been given the title of coach, rather than manager – has left his role as Carlo Ancelotti’s assistant at Bayern Munich to take over a Swansea side bottom of the Premier League.
The 44-year-old former Derby boss has signed a two-and-a-half year deal and will watch his new side from the stands at Crystal Palace on Tuesday night, with club stalwart Alan Curtis in caretaker charge.
Joining Clement at the Liberty Stadium from Tottenham are Nigel Gibbs, who will be assistant coach, and Karl Halabi.
“I’m delighted to be here,” Clement told the club’s website ahead of the Crystal Palace match.
“I had a brief spell as head coach not too long ago at Derby. It was a role I enjoyed thoroughly before I went to Bayern Munich as assistant manager. But my real desire and ambition was to become a head coach again as quickly as possible, so I am absolutely delighted to be here at Swansea and a Premier League manager.
“I would like to think my footballing philosophy goes hand in hand with the club’s. That’s part of the reason the club chose me and a big part of the reason why I wanted to come to the club.
“Over recent years there has been a certain style Swansea fans have been used to seeing. Maybe that hasn’t been there so much over recent times, but hopefully I will be able to put my imprint on the team very quickly and the fans will be able to see some good football – most importantly some winning football.
“It is a massive challenge; there’s no other way to put it. But challenges are exciting and that’s why I came here. I could have stayed at Bayern as an assistant, but I’ve chosen to come into a very challenging situation. It excites me to do that and that’s the attitude I want the players to have. It’s a big task, but I think it can be done.”
Clement, who is set to have a watching brief at Selhurst Park tonight as the Swans look to drag themselves off the foot of the table, added: “We are looking at the potential of adding to the squad in the transfer window. I’ve discussed that with the owners already.
“But before that I quickly need to look at the players already here and get them playing up to or close to their potential – and get some good results.
“Obviously improving the team defensively is a priority. All the clubs I’ve been involved with, the style of attacking football comes from a base of good defending. The team has conceded a lot of goals in recent times and it’s very important we put that right. Defending is a team effort, not just the responsibility of the goalkeeper and the back four. It starts from the front.”
Clement emerged as Swansea’s number one target after Wales manager Chris Coleman, who played nearly 200 games for the club at the start of his career, rejected the opportunity to take over at his home town club.
“We are delighted with the appointment of Paul Clement as our new head coach,” Swansea chairman Huw Jenkins told club website.
“Paul has not only worked with some of Europe’s biggest football clubs, but also the very best players in the world.
“Swansea City’s strength over many years had been the quality of the football coached on the training field. That has always been at the forefront of our success.
“There is no doubt in my mind that Paul can not only help us regain that footballing belief, but also restore some much needed pride back into the football club.
“Everyone connected to the club is fully behind the appointment and we see this a typical Swansea City choice.
“It looks a good fit to get us back on track and provide one of the best young coaches in Europe with the chance to develop his own career and become a leading coach in his own right.
“I’m sure every Swans supporter, like me, would want to wish Paul the best of luck at the club and that he enjoys his time with us at Swansea.”
