Alan Sheehan’s Journey: From Leicester to Swansea

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Today Leicester will play Swansea. The Swans manager is Alan Sheehan, previously a player on the books at Leicester. Seeing him play for Leicester in his early days at the football club was very special. It was also a strange scenario.

In the summer of 05, travelling to Bodo in the north of Norway to watch Leicester on their pre-season tour was a major thrill. Leicester with Alan Sheehan in the line-up battered Bodo Glimt 5-0.

Something are as it was, others have changed a lot. Bodo Glimt played Champions League this week, holding Tottenham to a 2-2 draw at the same arena, Aspmyra. Swansea and Leicester competed in the second tier of English football.

Alan Sheehan was in the starting line-up for that match in Bodo. 18 years of age and still very much unexperienced. Having made his full league debut in the last game of that previous 04-05 season vs. Plymouth his enthusiasm was fantastic.

Watching him play out left on the night filled me with hope. I am hopeful that he will become a certain starter for Leicester in years to come. I was introduced to Leicester manager Craig Levein later that evening. He asked what I thought. He was curious to know why a Norwegian Leicester City fan flew that distance to follow his team. We also discussed Alan Sheehan. My excitement for the young irsh player was fast dashed by the Scotland manager to be. He said about Sheehan, “very young and early days, we have to wait and see”.

Alan Sheehan played a total of 5 counting appearances under Craig Levein at Leicester. In his last, a 1-1 draw vs. Crewe he was send off. He later moved out on loan to Mansfield, so that relationship never really flourished much. The remaining career was under other managers, Alan Sheehan finally leaving Leicester in January 08 to join Leeds. Sheehan played 23 league games and scored 1 goal during his time at Leicester.

Just a point seperates Swansea and Leicester ahead of their game today! 🦢

Alan Sheehan reckons Leicester are serious contenders for promotion as they have "quality all over the pitch" 👏

What are your predictions? 🔮#BBCFootball #Swans pic.twitter.com/3yOK0wOkt5
— BBC Sport Wales (@BBCSportWales) October 4, 2025

Sheehan had a long career in lower tiers of English football. He had several loan spells as well as representing clubs on longer contracts. He had contracted spells after Leeds at Swindon, Notts County, Oldham, Bradford, Lincoln, Northampton and Luton. In total playing 402 league games, scoring 25 goals on his journey.

After several months as a player-coach at Oldham Athletic, Sheehan returned to Luton Town as a first-team coach in 2022. Following the departure of manager Nathan Jones to Southampton, Sheehan followed him as a first-team coach. When Jones was sacked by Southampton, Sheehan left with him.

Alan Sheehan was appointed assistant head coaches at Swansea in June 2023. In December 2023, he was appointed caretaker head coach. Sheehan returned to his assistant role when a new manager was appointed. He later earned his UEFA Pro Licence in June 2024.

In February 2025, Sheehan was again appointed caretaker head coach at Swansea. The following month, he was given the caretaker role until the end of the season after a run of seven points from five matches. On 30 April 2025, he was appointed head coach on a permanent three-year deal.

During his time as a player he helped Luton to two promotions from lower league tiers. He never represented his home nation Ireland at full international level. However, he gained 5 U21 caps and scored 1 goal. All these were played during his time at Leicester.

Sheehan said in his talk before the game today, ‘They’re a team that were in the Premier League last year and have players that have got a lot of Premier League experience’, ‘I’d be surprised if they’re not up there’. He also added, ‘That was the football club that gave me the opportunity. I made my debut in the Championship under Craig Levein’ ‘I’m very thankful for them, they’re a massive club’.

It’s nice to follow up on former foxes who have or had a life in football management. See our exciting list of updates on those very special names.

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