Celtic are set to take their time in the hunt for a new manager. But Hotline callers were wasting no time in getting their suggestions in as the Hoops look to maintain the momentum built over the last two years under Ange Postecoglou.
Brendan Rodgers is favourite with the bookies for a return to Paradise while Manchester City coach Enzo Maresca, former Brighton and Chelsea manager Graham Potter and Bodo/Glimt boss Kjetil Knutsen are also hotly tipped. Stephen Mulhern, Dumbarton, said: “I read Celtic will take their time in selecting a new manager however I’d be surprised if Brendan Rodgers hasn’t been approached for a return. Yes he did leave on unfavourable terms but bringing him back with Scott Brown as his assistant would have Michael Beale quaking in his boots.”
Stefan Arnott has an ambitious suggestion. He emailed: “Celtic should go for Luciano Spalletti as their next manager. His Napoli team played the best attacking football in Europe and he's available for free after leading Napoli to their first title since 1990.”
Unfortunately Spalleti is taking a year-long sabbatical after his Serie A heroics .. but you just never know. Rangers fan Frank McFerran, Carrickfergus, offered his opinion saying; “If I was a Celtic supporter I would want Kieran McKenna from Ipswich as my next manager. This guy will be something special in the football world. So as a Rangers fan I hope they don’t get him.”
Meanwhile, Steve McSherry, Uddingston, said: “While we are all disappointed at the loss of Ange, we are the only club in Scotland that can attract a high calibre manager and I’m certain we will simply pull further ahead from the pack. I trust Dermot Desmond to bring in a top target. As Ange said, we don’t stop.”
Along similar lines, Charles Buchanan emailed: “After the disappointment of Ange leaving we move on. He left us in a good shape. Five trophies out of six. A world record. And a good team. There will be plenty of good managers out there who will gladly take the job.”
John Kennedy could be tempted to London with Ange but Jimmy Murray, Edinburgh, said; “Kennedy must know he’ll get found out at Spurs. This sounds to me as if he’s saying to the club, make me manager or I’m off. Surely Desmond is not going to fall for that one? Remember he was one of the 10-in-a-row failures. As one of the callers said earlier, he’s bled the club for years. Get rid of him. Strachan as well. Get in professionals, real professionals.”
That’s when the serous tone began to give way to the tongue-in-cheek. Andrew Taylor, Glasgow, said; “I wonder if Postecoglou will be hoping to take his backroom team of Clancy, Collum and Robertson with him? If that happens then Celtic will be in even bigger trouble next season.”
Stephen Johnstone, Ardentinny, said: “Graham Potter touted for the Celtic job? They would have more chance signing Harry Potter.”
Stevie Jackson, Barrhead, said: “I see that a lot of Celtic fans are disappointed with Ange leaving. After all he won five trophies in two years. Wowee. Alex McLeish won five in 18 months for Rangers and didn't get half the publicity.”
Sticking with the blue half of Glasgow and Andrew Lamb, Fraserburgh, said: “The Rangers rebuild is coming along nicely. An excellent piece of business to get Jack Butland on a free and on smaller wages. More to come soon.”
Stevie Naismith has landed the Hearts job - but as technical director until he gains his coaching badges. And Neil Renton, Edinburgh, said: “The whole Stevie Naismith getting the Hearts managers job but being listed is a technical director until they sort out his coaching license is bizarre, even for their standards. At least when things go wrong he can blame the head coach Frank McAvoy.”
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