Claude Makelele is Swansea coach. Obviously

Daniel Storey

Claude Makelele plans to use his Premier League experience and keep Swansea in the top flight after joining his “mentor” Paul Clement at the Liberty Stadium.

Makelele has signed a deal as Swansea assistant coach until the end of the season, with the former France midfielder revealing it was his decision to contact Clement after his former Chelsea colleague had landed his job in south Wales.

The 43-year-old joins fellow new recruits Nigel Gibbs and Karl Halabi, both from Tottenham, on Clement’s back room staff ahead of the Premier League home game against Arsenal on Saturday.

“I am really excited to be here and I am happy to start working at Swansea,” Makelele said.

“Paul is my mentor. He has taught me a lot of things in my time working with him.

“When I heard he was back working in the Premier League, I phoned him and asked if I could help him at Swansea.

“Paul has given me the opportunity to come back to the Premier League, and I’m very grateful because I’ve really missed it.

“I know him very well and he knows me too. I think I have a lot to give, and hopefully I can help Paul and Swansea.”