Fergal Harkin won’t be Celtic ’s new director of football.
The Irishman is currently football pathways and partnerships manager at Manchester City and had been linked with a move to the Scottish Premiership club.
But now the Irish Independent reports that Harkin will be staying in his current role with the English Premier League champions.
It's understood discussions took place with the Celtic board but Harkin is highly regarded by City and wishes to remain loyal.
The 44-year-old first worked in British football under ex-Celtic boss Martin O’Neill at Leicester City.
His role at the Etihad makes him responsible for developing the club’s best young players, primarily by finding them loans to gain experience at high level clubs.
Harkin has worked closely with Celtic for a number of years on such loan deals, including Jason Denayer, Patrick Roberts, John Guidetti, Daniel Arzani and Dedryck Boyata.
However, he won’t be in charge of recruiting players for the Hoops after electing to stay put.
Ange Postecoglou is the new favourite to take the manager’s job at Parkhead after a move for Eddie Howe didn’t come off.
And the search for a new sporting director or director of football will also go on after Harkin’s decision.
