Inverness Caley Thistle are reported to have requested permission to speak to Darren O’Dea about their vacant manager’s job.
The former Ireland internationalist had a brief spell coaching at Motherwell before moving to Celtic in September 2019 where he has progressed from coaching the u-19 side to co-managing the B team with Stephen McManus.
At the age of 36 he is still young in terms of coaching but proved by retiring from playing early to work at Motherwell that he has a clear plan to push his career in coaching and management.
Inverness make approach to speak to Celtic B team boss Darren O’Dea – as they begin their interview process. https://t.co/OOtKn9JEgI
— Scott Burns (@ScottBurns75) September 20, 2023
The Daily Record reports:
Inverness Caley Thistle have made an official approach to speak to Celtic B team coach Darren O’Dea.
The Championship strugglers want to interview the Irishman over their vacant managerial position. The Highlanders are on the hunt for a new boss after sacking Billy Dodds earlier this week. O’Dea has impressed in his time at Celtic as a coach and is now in charge of the B team in the Lowland League and UEFA Youth League. Caley Thistle made the approach after Celtic’s under-19s lost 3-0 in Feyenoord on Tuesday night.
O’Dea started coaching at Motherwell before he moved to the Celtic academy in 2019. Inverness chiefs plan to hold talks with O’Dea and three or four others on their shortlist. Hearts B coach Liam Fox is thought to be another who is under serious consideration. The highly-rated coach returned to Tynecastle in the summer. Fox previously had a spell in charge at Dundee United and was first-team coach under Barry Robson last season, as he helped Aberdeen seal third spot.
After two seasons working with the B team in the Lowland League O’Dea might feel that it is time to test himself at another level.
Caley Thistle have had a variety of financial troubles in recent seasons but reaching the 2023 Scottish Cup Final should have cleared much of those issues.