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:
17. Adi Hütter - 33/1
The Austrian coach counts RB Salzburgs BSC Young Boys and Eintracht Frankfurt among the clubs he has managed. Left his post as head coach of Borussia Monchengladbach by mutual consent last month. | Getty Images
18. Paul Lambert - 33/1
Club icon and former Hoops captain who is actively seeking a route back into management two years after departing Ipswich Town. Previously led Norwich City, Aston Villa, Blackburn Rovers, Wolves and Stoke City during a lengthy spell in England. | Getty Images
19. Peter Bosz - 33/1
The highly-rated Dutch boss has managed some of Europe’s top clubs including Ajax, Borussia Dortmund, Bayer Leverkusen and latterly French side Lyon. Boasts an impressive CV. | AFP via Getty Images
20. Ralph Hasenhüttl - 40/1
Ex-RB Leipzig and Southampton boss earned the nickname “The Apline Klopp” for adopting a high-intensity press. Has taken a break from football since leaving St Mary’s and could be ready to make a return after recharging the batteries. | Getty Images