With Vitor Matos set to take charge, O’Dea’s message came after a 3-0 defeat at Bristol City — with incoming boss Matos watching from the stands.
First-half goals from Rob Dickie and Emil Riis put Bristol City firmly in control at Ashton Gate, before substitute Yu Hirakawa sealed the result late on.
Swansea’s defeat was their third in succession and leaves them 20th in the Championship table, seven points above the relegation zone.
The Swans delivered a desperately poor display and again left empty-handed, leaving O’Dea to focus on what comes next for a squad he insists is stronger than their league position suggests.
“I have just left the dressing room and my only thoughts are with the players, who gave everything today,” said O’Dea, who only joined the Swans five months ago, as assistant to axed former boss, Alan Sheehan.
“There is a lot of talent in that dressing room and I am sure that whoever takes charge the future is bright.
“The players are a really good group and will be fine. Obviously, this has been a period which has been unsettling, but that's what happens when big decisions are taken like the ones which have been made.”
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With Matos’ move from Maritimo close to completion — and the Portuguese coach expected to bring in his own staff — O’Dea’s brief caretaker reign appears set to end almost as soon as it began.
But he says that throughout the uncertainty, he has tried to safeguard the players’ focus.
“I have to be really clear and fair here that right from the top of the ownership to Tom Gorringe they have been as clear and as transparent as they possibly can be,” O’Dea said.
“There are things they can tell me and things they can't because, ultimately, it's club business and it's private to them. I'm not part of the process, so therefore, I have to wait.
“That makes your working environment clearly unsettled, but what I've had to do with the staff is make sure the players are looked after because ultimately that's the most important thing.”
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The club’s decision to replace Sheehan — combined with Matos’ likely arrival — leaves the former Celtic defender unsure whether Tuesday’s match against Derby County will involve him at all.
Asked if he expected to remain in charge for that fixture, he replied: “The club have told me what they can, when they can, and I'm sure, once I leave here, I'll have an update on what tomorrow looks like.
“I've had to live for the last couple of weeks not knowing what the next two days bring. It's 24 hours at a time.”
Despite the heavy defeat and the uncertainty over his role, O’Dea repeated his belief that Swansea have enough ability within the squad to climb away from trouble.
“Football moves on pretty quick and there's another game in a couple of days time so all my thoughts are with the players now to make sure they recover right,” he said.
“There's definitely enough there to bring the club in the right direction. Now someone needs to lead that.
“The circumstances are difficult but, when you put perspective on it, working with these lads has been a pleasure.”
Bristol City boss Gerhard Struber, meanwhile, praised his own side’s display, saying: “I am super happy, not only with the points, but the way we played and seeing players return after injury.
“Playing two strikers worked well and means we have options in the way we line up, which will be very important as the season goes on.”
