a day ago
Celtic man's classy farewell involving Lawwell and Michael Nicholson
The Irishman recently departed his role as Professional Player Pathway Manager at the Parkhead club to join Swansea City as assistant to Alan Sheehan.
O'Dea took to social media platform X after his Celtic exit was confirmed, outlining the roles of Peter Lawwell, Michael Nicholson, Ange Postecoglou, Brendan Rodgers, Paul Tisdale and Chris McCart played in his time as a coach and then pathway manager.
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He said: "It's time to take another step in my career, which means leaving the club I love.
"I've had an incredible time and been given the best education, and there are so many people I'm grateful to.
"Peter, Michael, Ange, Brendan, Paul are just a few and a special mention for Chris McCart, who's always supported me so much. I'll just be a fan again, and I can honestly say the club is in a great place and the people there make it what it is - family.
"Not a 'goodbye' but a 'see you again'."
O'Dea spent six years as a player at Celtic before rejoining the club in 2019, initially as under-19s manager.
"I am delighted," he told after taking up his new role in Wales.
"I knew of the interest and I spoke with Alan [Sheehan] a number of weeks ago.
"Obviously, I have been with a club I have grown up in, so it was difficult to come to terms with the decision in terms of leaving, but once I spoke to him and had an insight into what the club is wanting to do, I wanted to join.
"I had a good understanding of the club anyway, but it's a really exciting project, one I wanted to be a part of, and I am delighted it is done now.
"I would not have left Celtic unless it was for something I felt very strongly about. Of course, the club and its prestige and the intensity of it is something I am used to, and I wanted to work with and for Alan.
"You combine those two things, and the conversations I have had with other people at the club who will be working with us, and it just fits. It's something I am really happy to be part of."
