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:
13. Andre Villas-Boas - 25/1
The well-travelled Portuguese boss was most recently in charge of Ligue 1 side Marseille but hasn’t been involved in management since February 2021. Might he be looking for a way back in? | AFP via Getty Images
14. Michel Sanchez - 25/1
Spaniard currently in his third season with La Liga outfit Girona. Under contract until 2024 after agreeing a new contract last summer, so it’s hard to see him being lured to Scotland. | Getty Images
15. Neil Lennon - 25/1
Highly unlikely but the Irishman always seems to be among the list of possible contenders when it comes to Celtic. harshly sacked by Cypriot side Omonia and has intimated his preference to manage abroad. On a three-man shortlist for the Olympiakos job. Photo: Giuseppe Maffia - SNS Group
16. Kevin Muscat - 28/1
Celtic might look further afield and the Englishman may well come under consideration after winning the J1-League title with Yokohama F. Marinos last year. Was previously linked with the Rangers job. | Getty Images