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Burton Albion have appointed former Swansea City, Barnsley and Inter Miami assistant manager Martin Paterson as their new boss.

The 36-year-old ex-Burnley, Huddersfield and Northern Ireland striker left Swansea in December when then boss Michael Duff was sacked.

He takes over a Brewers side that are 17th in League One and without a win in three games since the start of 2024.

"I am ready to take this step," Paterson told the club website.

"I have developed my coaching over several years and have extensive experience of being an assistant coach at first team level."

Paterson worked under Duff at both Swansea and Barnsley, having started his coaching career in the United States where he had a stint working as Phil Neville's assistant at Major League Soccer side Inter Miami.

He moves into the top job for the first time with a Burton side that is battling to avoid relegation from League One.

A run of just two wins from their past 12 league games has the Brewers four places and five points above the drop zone after 26 matches.

He takes the helm at the Pirelli Stadium a day after Burton were knocked out of the Bristol Street Motors Trophy by fellow third tier side Blackpool.

Their trophy exit came under caretaker Gary Mills, who stepped up from first-team coach following Dino Maamria's sacking on 9 December.

Burton chairman Ben Robinson has high hopes for Paterson, comparing him to a string of managers who gained early experience with the east Staffordshire side before going on to become high-profile bosses.

"We were impressed with Martin's vision for the future and his understanding of what we are all about as a football club and at 36, we see the same abilities and potential that we have successfully recognised when we appointed Neil Warnock, Nigel Clough and Gary Rowett as young managers," said Robinson.

"The priority now is on making sure we secure our League One status and then start building for the future."