With most eyes on Mallorca and the prospect of Brendan Rodgers returning to Celtic the Daily Record have reported on talks with another candidate to replace Ange Postecoglou.
Francesco Farioli has an interesting coaching CV but a 34-year-old from Italy isn’t going to win any head-to-head comparison with a 50-year-old who has won trophies in Scotland and England in the last five years.
With Michael Nicholson and Chris McKay reported to have been in Mallorca to talk with Rodgers it seems that the ball is in the Irishman’s court over whether or not he wants to return to Celtic.
The Record reports:
Celtic have held talks with young Italian boss Francesco Farioli about the prospect of taking over from Ange Postecoglou at Parkhead.
A meeting between club powerbrokers and 34-year-old Farioli – known in Italy as the ‘young De Zerbi’ – took place last week as Celtic chiefs continue their search for the Aussie’s replacement. Farioli’s two most recent managerial posts have been in Turkey with Fatih Karagumruck and Antalyaspor but he cut his teeth in coaching under Brighton’s Roberto De Zerbi at Benevento and Sassuolo in his homeland and has the same all-out attacking philosophy as his mentor.
Covering a lot of bases they add:
Celtic, who are reported to have held talks with Brendan Rodgers in Mallorca and could make a move for Manchester City No 2 Enzo Maresca, are doing their due diligence on a number of alternatives – and Farioli is very much in their thoughts. The Braga-born coach did not have a big-time playing career but has risen through the coaching ranks after a successful spell in Qatar, which led to De Zebri adding him to his coaching staff. Farioli is keen to make Glasgow his next destination but that could hinge on Rodgers and Maresca rejecting overtures in the coming days.
After four years at Leicester unable to attract an offer from one of the biggest clubs in the EPL Rodgers might feel that doors are closing on him.
Leeds United have been mentioned as a possibility but taking charge of Celtic opens the door to the Champions League and perhaps unfinished business.
Farioli may well develop into an outstanding manager in the future but with a club of Celtic’s size the task of following Postecoglou demands someone with substance and achievements on his CV.
Click here for Farioli’s Transfermarkt profile.
Rodgers should not be allowed near our club.
Nor Lawwell either in my opinion. But … !