Eddie Howe could be named as Celtic manager this week but he won’t take charge until the summer.
According to The Sun that is the likely timetable of events with many Celtic fans hoping for an early Tuesday morning announcement to the Stock Market.
Expectations that Howe is about to take charge have grown over the last week with The Sun reporting face-to-face meetings with Dermot Desmond and Dom McKay last week.
On Sunday Celtic were handed a Scottish Cup trip to Ibrox which heightened the desire of fans to see the new man take immediate control but late on Monday The Sun reported:
CELTIC hope to name Eddie Howe as their new boss this week — but he may not take charge until the summer. Talks are continuing over a deal to appoint the former Bournemouth gaffer as Neil Lennon’s successor.
SunSport understands an official announcement is NOT expected in the next 24 hours with both parties reluctant to rush negotiations. Howe, 43, has verbally agreed in principle to accept the job offer from Celts.
But, crucially, he wants certain assurances, as well as being allowed to take his trusted ally Richard Hughes with him. Celtic are looking to name a new director of football as well as a head of recruitment — and Howe is pushing for Hughes to be lured away from his role at Bournemouth.
Making an announcement but delaying Howe’s installation until the summer will be a difficult message for Celtic to get over to fans.
In December a managerial review was promised, on February 24 Neil Lennon resigned soon after Ian Bankier pledged that no hasty decisions will be made.
The Sun report suggests that Fergal Harkin of Manchester City was the preferred candidate to become Director of Football but it seems that Howe wants Hughes in that role. The former Scotland international is currently employed as Technical Director at Bournemouth.
John Kennedy has been Interim Manager since Lennon quit and now looks like he will be in charge until the end of this season.