Celtic: Hunting Hughes or seeking Sven?
Ex City bosses topping the media hit list for hoops
Whenever a manager leaves a club, it is common for ex-players to be linked with the job. Over and above that, there is always likely to be speculation based on the level of the club…and the hopes of the fans.
These two are not always equal but there is an agreement that Celtic should be looking at managers with a reasonable EPL record. Looking at them is one thing, affording them or convincing them to come to Celtic Park is an entirely different matter.
The two biggest names in the frame so far in the media have been Mark Hughes and Sven Goran Erikson.
Hughes is an obvious name in the frame as he is currently unemployed. His record in charge of the Welsh national team and Blackburn Rovers was reasonable and his reign at Manchester City is hard to judge because it was a situation unlike most other clubs.
Blackburn Rovers under Hughes had a gritty style with a touch of flair although City were not too clever at the back. Again, it is difficult to say what say Hughes had in the transfer dealings but you would question any manager that agrees to sell Richard Dunne and purchases Joleon Lescott for around 5 times the figure!
The fact that Erikson is Swedish means that there is an expectancy that he will bring Henrik Larsson back as his number, helping to create some form of dream team at the club and getting the fans on board. This may well just be a 2+2 consideration of the matter but such is the way of idle speculation.
Erikson has been appointed boss of the Ivory Coast for the World Cup and he is expected to leave the position when the Ivory Coast are knocked out. This would free him up to manage a club next season but would deprive him of vital time getting his squad together.
Can Celtic afford to have a manager who doesn’t turn up for duty until July? Celtic are likely to have a European tie in July so the new manager has to hit the ground running.
What other ex City bosses could you throw into the mix?
Stuart Pearce?
Kevin Keegan?
Steve Coppell?
Billy McNeill of course had a spell in charge of Manchester City in between his two stints as Celtic boss.
If the Manchester City links are part of the issue for the Celtic board, Neil Lennon may still be in with a shout. The caretaker boss was at Manchester City as a trainee in 1989/90 but moved on before finding his way at Crewe and then Leicester City.
We are probably nowhere near finding out who will be charge of Celtic next season but that isn’t going to stop the speculation.
Hoops fans, who would you like as new boss?
Eric Gerets should be contacted and lennon his number 2 but one things for sure, we need am experienced coach/manager not someone cutting there cloth for the 1st time!
Anyone who doesn’t simply take it on the chin, but reacts with whopping counterpunches of their own!
The board will take their time (but not too long hopefully) and go for a proven experienced WINNER. We can’t afford to take on a rookie or an up and coming Championship type manager who MIGHT be able to take the step up to the pressure pot that is Celtic manager.
Who for the job though? I would certainly hope for a more inspiring shortlist than the one from last summer. If I hear Mark McGhee or Roy Keane seriously linked with the position then I really will despair.
Could Martin O’Neil be leaving Villa for Celtic?
Dubs,
If only! Ain’t gonna happen.
If he does leave he will probably wait for the Man U job or for Liverpool to sort out their leadership issues.
He is being heavily linked with the ‘Pool job at the moment. Trouble with them though is they don’t have the financial resources the other big 4 and Man City have access to. As for Man U, I don’t think Sir Furious is going anywhere fast at all. The only way he will leave Old Trafford is when he is wheeled out with a tartan blanket covering his legs!
I know Dermot Desmond can be fairly persuasive but if he was to pull off the coup of getting O’Neill back he would surely merit his own statue outside the ground!
Martin O’Neil has done his chapter with Celtic, as stated above, his next role will probably be Liverpool or even Man City.
As for Hughes, I think he might well be in place for West Hams next game, if not certainly before Neil Lennons time as caretaker is up. That’s if his time is up!
There’s no reason why Celtic cannot go undefeated for the remainder of this season and possibly lift the Scottish Cup, that leaves a big decision on whether or not they offer him the position full time, I personally think they will unless he has a holocaust in the next few weeks.
I noticed sidemouth McGhee distanced himself from the job the other day, finally he’s realised that it aint never gonny happen. Maybe now he will stop thinking about his beloved Celtic and try to get Aberdeen in the top 6 next season!
McGhee has also ruled himself out of the Barcelona and Real Madrid jobs, two other positions he is never going to get.
lol, this is like dreamers planet. ye dont change do you celtic fans, always the same, dreaming. just be happy bitter lemon has got the players playing for him, next year will be much better for ye especially if we keep the dinosaur smith in charge or even worse super sally!! yer not up against much. my clubs a shambles. at least you guys have some proper football players, weve got OAPs, Primadonnas and Walters friends!! You dont know how good yev got it Celtic.
Give Lemon the job. No one of note wants it.
MON is going to Liverpool allegedly and Mark Hughes would be another HUGE mistake. Mutley McGhee is not Old Firm class.
Henwick isnt ready yet.
Gerets?? LOL, another le guen.
the new manager is already there.