Next Celtic manager latest: Title-winning figure linked with return as league rival ‘ticks a lot of boxes’
Who will Celtic appoint as their next permanent manager?
Martin O’Neill has helped steady the ship once again following his second return to Celtic this season but the club are still working on who will become their next permanent manager.
After the disaster that was the short-lived Wilfried Nancy tenure, the board are desperate to avoid a similar error this time round.
O’Neill will remain in charge on an interim basis until the end of the season, but who will take on the job after him? We’ve rounded up the latest reports on Celtic’s manager search below.
Scottish Premiership manager ‘ticks a lot of boxes’ for Celtic
According to Football Insider, Celtic have earmarked Motherwell manager Jens Berthel Askou, who the Parkhead hierarchy say ‘ticks a lot of boxes’.
Back in October, the Hoops were looking to sign an ‘up-and-coming’ coach to replace Brendan Rodgers. Celtic are expected to consider both experienced managers and newer faces for their next appointment but they are eager to avoid a repeat of Nancy’s disastrous era.
Berthel Askou has been described as something of a ‘left field option’, but he has emerged as a leading figure to take on the role regardless. The Danish manager has attracted attention thanks to his efforts with Motherwell, who are currently fourth in the Scottish Premiership table.
Ange Postecoglou Celtic return links continue
Reports connecting Ange Postecoglou with a return to Celtic Park are rising once again. Another Football Insider report says that the two-time Premiership winner is ‘on Celtic’s list’ to become the next permanent manager.
Postecogolou left his role in Glasgow after a successful two years to take on a new chapter in the English Premier League. The 60-year-old guided Tottenham Hotspur to the Europa League title last season, the club’s first trophy in 17 years.
Postecoglou was sacked two weeks after Spurs’ victory parade and later joined Nottingham Forest, but his unsuccessful reign lasted just 39 days before he was shown the door there as well.
As he is currently without a club, Postecoglou is viewed as a cost effective option for Celtic for their next permanent head coach.
However, the report claims that the ex-Hoops boss is ‘likely to be reluctant to accept a new job midway through the season’. Postecoglou would prefer to start his time at a new club with a full pre-season and the chance to bring in new signings to aid his campaign ahead.
This would play out well for Celtic though, as they are secure with O’Neill until the summer. The Hoops are not looking to bring in someone new at this point in the season, so lining up a summer signing ahead of time would fit in with their long-term plans.