As farewell results go it wasn’t bad- a 1-1 draw away to Manchester City.
Overnight the jigsaw pieces slipped into place with West Brom dismissing Slaven Bilic with Sam Allardyce ready to take over despite his predecessor taking a point from the Etihad.
The managerial ‘merry-go-round’ in the EPL had been on hold this season but the lead up to Christmas is a notorious time for sackings as directors look at who they can trust during the January transfer window.
Bilic has long been linked with becoming Celtic manager with a successful spell in charge of Croatia the highlight of his CV as well as extensive knowledge of the UK game.
Before the official announcement from The Hawthorns Celtic fans were speculating about a possible move to Celtic with a tweet from Sky Sports confirming a link as recently as May 2019.
Monday’s Celtic AGM was a show of support for Neil Lennon from within the club but against that a statement last week mentioned that his position would be reviewed in the new year.
After back-to-back wins over Lille and Kilmarnock the pressure on the Celtic boss has eased slightly, wins tend to have that effect but any dropped points before the end of January or a cup final defeat on Sunday will see the spotlight return with one obvious candidate now sitting on gardening leave.
Sky Sports News understands former #WHUFC manager Slaven Bilic would be interested in talking to Celtic, if they decide against offering Neil Lennon a deal
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) May 14, 2019
Celtic fans now want Bilic
— Ace Fearty? (@Frydays71) December 16, 2020
Bilic sacked meaning the first realistically hire-able manger that most Celtic fans would actually take is now on the market…
— Richard Wilson (@timomouse) December 16, 2020
Slaven Bilic for the celtic job
— stevenking1888 (@stevenking18881) December 16, 2020
Bilic would be gagging for the Celtic job if we blow the cup final/get humped at ibrox.
— Lorenzo (@Lorenzo__LP) December 16, 2020
Slaven Bili?! should’ve narrated the West Brom Christmas advert!
That’s how Neil Lennon is still at Celtic
He missed a trick there.
https://t.co/PGtmXZ05Uj https://t.co/yVU1NbwKq3
— Has Neil Lennon been sacked yet? NO! (@ok_rangers) December 16, 2020
A joke Bilic gets sacked after getting a point at the Etihad,Celtic should make a move for him now
— John Paul Nagle (@Nagser82) December 16, 2020
Bilic bagged by west Brom unfairly imo always fancied him as a celtic manager.
— davie mac (@daviemac79) December 16, 2020
Bilic to celtic in either january or in the summer.
— murfy (@Murphhyy_) December 16, 2020