Claude Makelele commits future to Swansea City
Friday 26 May 2017 12:59, UK
Claude Makelele has signed a new contract to remain part of Paul Clement's coaching staff at Swansea City.
The former French international joined the Swans in January on a short-term deal which was due to expire this summer but has now committed his immediate future at Liberty Stadium.
Makelele is one of Clement's assistants alongside Nigel Gibbs, goalkeeper coach Tony Roberts and head of physical performance Karl Halabi.
The 44-year-old enjoyed a spectacular playing career which included stints at Real Madrid, Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain.
Clement was on the coaching staff at Stamford Bridge when Makelele was a player, while they were also colleagues in Carlo Ancelotti's backroom team at PSG.
The Swansea manager believes Makelele was an influential figure in his side's successful Premier League survival push.
"We are very happy that he is going to be staying on because he is very popular," Clement said last week.
"He is a quiet, humble man considering what he did as a player. He has great experience and he has passed that on to the players."
Makelele, who won 71 France caps, arrived in Wales after offering his services to Clement following his appointment at the beginning of January.
He won a string of trophies including two La Liga titles, two Premier Leagues and the Champions League.
Clement took charge of 19 league matches in his debut campaign in south Wales, securing nine victories, two draws and eight losses.
