Eddie Howe has agreed in principle to become the new Celtic manager, according to a report in The Sun.
After a couple of quiet weeks it seems that Celtic have moved into top gear in the last 48 hours to bring in the former Bournemouth boss.
Howe has been out of football since resigning as Bournemouth boss in August but it looks like his return to management is just a few days away.
Late on Friday The Sun reported:
EDDIE HOWE is poised to become Celtic’s new manager. SunSport understands the Hoops’ leading candidate to replace Neil Lennon has agreed in principle to take the role.
And barring a last-ditch change of heart, the former Bournemouth manager, 43, is expected to sign a contract worth up to £2million a year and be officially announced early next week.
The fine details of the deal were being ironed out on Friday night, but Celts’ chiefs are confident they will get their man. Howe has been in a strong negotiating position since Celtic’s major shareholder Dermot Desmond made clear he was the one they wanted during a midweek London summit, as revealed by SunSport.
It’s believed he has insisted on full authority on backroom appointments and a sizeable war chest to revamp an ailing squad. It’s also Howe’s desire for close pal and current Bournemouth technical director Richard Hughes to join him in Paradise.
Celtic are now likely to make a formal approach to the Cherries board for the five-times capped former Scotland player.
Should Celtic offer the manager's job to Eddie Howe
Yes, absolutely. Howe is the perfect fit
No, what has he won?
Howe has had two stints in charge of Bournemouth split by 18 months at Burnley which has halted due to family matters.
After saving Bournemouth from the drop into the National League in his first stint Howe took them into the EPL for five seasons, four of which were comfortably mid-table before a series of events led to relegation in the season split by Lockdown.
Promotion and those five seasons in the top flight sent Howe’s stock soaring but with little movement in the managerial market this season it seems like the timing is right for Celtic’s approach.
