Soccer Football - Scottish Premiership - Rangers vs Celtic - Ibrox, Glasgow, Scotland, Britain - January 2, 2023 Celtic CEO Michael Nicholson, former Celtic CEO Peter Lawwell, Rangers chairman Douglas Park and Rangers honorary Life President John Greig pay their respects during a service on the anniversary of the 1971 Ibrox disaster in which 66 people died, outside the stadium before the match Action Images via Reuters/Lee Smith
Brendan Rodgers won’t be returning to Celtic as manager according to Stephen McGowan.
The former Leicester City manager has been strongly linked with a return to Celtic but according to the reporter with the best track record on all things the Irishman isn’t on the four man shortlist.
Rodgers left Leicester City at the start of April but it appears that returning to Scotland isn’t an avenue that he is considering as he waits for his next move.
There has yet to be anything official from Celtic or Spurs on the future of Ange Postecoglou but it seems to be only a matter of time before the deal is completed with compensation heading Celtic’s way.
Updating the situation in the Daily Mail McGowan writes:
An early bookmakers’ favourite, Brendan Rodgers will not be returning to the club where he enjoyed huge success before walking out for Leicester City in February 2019.
Manchester City assistant manager Enzo Maresca will come under consideration after Saturday’s Champions League final.
Kjetil Knutsen led unfancied Norwegians Bodo/Glimt to a thumping 5-1 aggregate win over Celtic in the Europa Conference League last year, but is also a target for Dutch giants Ajax.
West Ham boss David Moyes was interviewed for the post before Rodgers took control in 2016 and could come back into the running if he leaves the Hammers after tomorrow night’s Europa Conference League final.
Former Leeds boss Jesse Marsch, who was heavily linked with the Celtic post prior to Postecoglou’s appointment in 2021, is another name in the frame.
There is a very 2021 feel to that list with the exception of Kjetil Knutsen.
When Neil Lennon left Celtic in February 2021 it took Peter Lawwell to find a successor, now the spotlight is on his successor, Michael Nicholson to come up with a high calibre appointment ready to pick up on the handover left behind by Postecoglou.
Knutsen. ?
Dunno why a question mark came up there. Of the four, I’d go for him
I agree with you PB. A modern coach who likes to play fast attacking football, but more defensively aware too.
Knutsen: without wanting to sound parochial, Scandinavian success doesn’t always translate well. Ask Ronny Deila and Graham Potter (who I think we should be speaking to as well).
Moyes: the perennial candidate. Is Roy Keane not on the list too? Experienced and nobody’s fool, he’s probably better than we generally give him credit for, TBH, but just seems uninspired thinking. There are also concerns over whether he’d be able to operate effectively with our sort of budget after decades of free-spending in the EPL.
Maresca: his one experience as a manager wasn’t a success. The Celtic manager has to win the league and it’s a task with little margin for error as the SPFL has descended into a two-way turkey shoot. Seems to regarded as a good coach, but is that enough given all the other crap he’d need to take?
Marsch: Mr Tight Jeans ‘n’ Sneakers. Talks sense, but a mixed record. Success at Salzburg, didn’t replicate it at the tougher gig in Leipzig although the club were a bit trigger happy. Leeds United were, generally speaking, trying to operate in the Premier League on a Championship budget but even so, his signings didn’t work out too well and they were very expensive by our standards. A guy who needs to rebuild a reputation after a bruising couple of years, which is usually a good fit for us, but I’m just not sure with this guy.
Nicholson is there as a front for LIEWELL he calls all the shots.
Advantage Mr Bean and sevco.
Do you seriously think Peter Lawwell will be able to keep his grubby hands off this and leave it to Michael Nicholson to find a new manager? Now thats funny.
Hey you , Mr Tory rag scoop glorified typist ! How many times did you get the better of Ange at one of the hundreds of pressers in his 2year reign as head coach in which you attended ? Yeah , I thought as much ! If you Mr MC Gowan ,were ever asked to light up one of Ange’s hand rolled Cuban cigars , I’d be in a state of consternation….You can continue to be a third rate hack , while Celtic FC leaves you behind in the slipstream !
Moyes and Marsch, no. How about Rob Edwards ?
The Celtic board must get this right.
Ange boots will hard to fill