Jon Beale confirmed as new Under-18s' head coach

Swansea City can confirm the appointment of Jon Beale as the club's new under-18s' head coach.

The Swansea-born coach spent time as head of academy coaching at the Swansea City academy, before following former Swans goalkeeping and academy coach Tony Pennock to Hull City.

Beale spent six years at the Tigers’ academy, rising through the ranks and taking over the under-23s team before being appointed as academy manager. During his time at the Yorkshire club, the academy made the step from Category Three to Category Two.

He departed that role at the conclusion of the 2019-20 season, before returning to Swansea City for a short spell as women's head coach in 2022.

He has also held roles as football performance manager at Swansea University and Briton Ferry Llansawel.

Academy Manager Ryan Davies said: "We’re delighted to have appointed Jon as our under-18s' lead coach. He’s got a wealth of experience having been head of coaching at Swansea City, before moving to Hull City and becoming academy manager there. He’s also run the football performance programme at Swansea University.

"It’s brilliant that Jon is from the local community and understands the importance of the club and the academy to the people of Swansea. 

"He understands the values of the club and what our expectations are of staff and players. We’ve had a high turnover of staff in this position and we want someone to be in the role for a number of years to help prepare our under-18 players for professional football.

"I’d also like to thank Joe Roberts for the great work he has done in the interim period, providing the players and staff with brilliant support."