English Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur are close to announcing Ange Postecoglou as their new manager - a moment Celtic fans will have been dreading.
The Australian immediately endeared himself to the green and white half of Glasgow when he first walked through the doors from Yokohama F. Marinos in the summer of 2021 but few would have expected the way he has managed to revolutionise the club from top to bottom in his two-year spell in charge.
Postecoglou’s side completed a world-record eighth domestic treble with a 3-1 victory over Inverness CT in the Scottish Cup final on Saturday - but talk instantly turned to speculation surrounding the 57-year-old’s future after he was unable to re-assure fans of his long-term commitment to the champions.
News that Tottenham are closing on in appointment him as Antonio Conte’s successor is expected to leave Celtic’s hierarchy facing another managerial search. The club deserve credit for their shrewd recruitment after plucking Postecoglou from relative J-League obscurity and within 24 months is set to land one of the biggest jobs in England.
However, that won’t be much consolation to supporters who are currently fearing the worst and questioning who the club will appoint next. The Hoops board are expected to have already drawn up a list of potential replacements and there are plenty of interesting names featured in the betting markets.
Here, GlasgowWorld takes a look at 20 possible candidates to replacement Ange Postecoglou:
9. Kjetil Knutsen - 16/1
The Norwegian is building an impressive reputation in his homeland with FK Bodo/Glimt after leading the club to Europa League football, where they famously thrashed Jose Mourinho’s Roma side 6-1. | AFP via Getty Images
10. Michael Carrick - 18/1
Ex-England and Manchester United midfielder turned head coach was appointmed Middlesbrough boss in October 2022 and was nominated for EFL Championship Manager of the Month in November. Perhaps lacking the experience to take over a club the size of Celtic. Photo: Stu Forster
11. Graham Potter - 22/1
A name proving popular with Hoops fans, the former Swansea City, Brighton and Chelsea manager has been recognised for his “progressive” and “unconventional” coaching methods. Dismissed by the Blues in April. Photo: Marc Atkins/Getty Images
12. Roy Keane - 22/1
Irishman hasn’t been involved in coaching since 2019 but is rumoured to be keen on a return to management. Difficult to see him being a realistic candidate for the Hoops board. | Getty Images