Athlone man Alan Sheehan appointed permanent Swansea City manager

Sheehan said the appointment felt "surreal".

Swansea have won 23 points in 12 games since Alan Sheehan took charge following the departure of Luke Williams. Pic: Steven Paston/PA Wire.

Former Ireland U21 international, Athlone native Alan Sheehan, has been upgraded from caretaker to permanent manager of Swansea City on a three-year deal.

Since the departure of Luke Williams, the 38-year-old has impressed bosses by allaying fears of relegation from the Championship.

Ahead of this weekend’s final league game against Oxford United, they are guaranteed to finish in the top half of the table, having amassed 23 points in Sheehan's 12 games in charge.

"It's a privilege to be at this football club and now I have the honour of officially being the head coach," former Leicester City player Sheehan said about his first senior managerial post.

"It's somewhat surreal. There's been a really good feeling around the place and I spoke over the last couple of months about building something.

"I've been in talks with the ownership for a good while now and I haven't really changed what I've been saying about moving forward. Now is a really good time to move forward."

Sheehan, who has also coached at Luton Town and Southampton, was originally placed in temporary charge for five matches. In March, the hierarchy confirmed an extension for the remainder of the season, a springboard for him to assume full-time charge.

Irish managers are a rarity across the English league but Noel Hunt has a chance of steering Reading onto the Championship stage if they can outmuscle Leyton Orient for the final playoff spot this weekend.