Mark Wotte spotted Eddie Howe was a shrewd operator when they grew acquainted shortly before the Englishman worked his magic on Bournemouth.
So it’s no surprise to the ex-Southampton coach that Howe wishes to bring his own man, Richard Hughes, with him as Celtic’s new director of football.
Installing a trusted ally by his side as he begins the daunting task of rebuilding a massive club in the foreign climate of the Scottish game is a wise move.
However, Wotte can also appreciate why the arrival of Howe is in a holding pattern because the parties might need to iron out some critical differences.
For unless there’s a dramatic change to the job description that well-travelled Wotte has always understood, then Hughes can’t be a fit as Celtic’s director of football.
It’s almost unheard of for the head-hunted coach to suggest that vital appointment according to Wotte, who insists it should work the opposite way – for many reasons.
Ex-Portsmouth midfielder Hughes could well turn out the ideal man, says Wotte, to oversee a new vision for Celtic alongside incoming chief executive Dominic McKay.
But the DoF recruitment plan should be a separate issue to the desire to hire Howe – and not integral to the package.
Former SFA performance director Wotte said: “Look, it’s legitimate for Eddie Howe to ask for a director of football in the hope there’s a level of confidentiality and trust between the roles.
“I see his point bringing more support by his side as he comes in to this huge Scottish club where he’ll want to work his way.
“But from a club point of view, it’s the wrong way around. Celtic should appoint a director of football who helps pick the manager and is a long-term appointment independent of the manager.
“A club needs to feel comfortable with its director of football because the manager, as Brendan Rodgers showed us, can leave at any time if a more attractive job comes up.
“And if the head coach loses eight games in a row, the director of football should take the best decision for the club – and not for the manager.
“What if, after Brendan Rodgers, Leicester wants Eddie Howe? Then he could take Hughes with him.
“But as Celtic’s director of football, Hughes has a very responsible job looking after the long term strategy of different departments of the club.
“Listen, if Celtic decide Richard Hughes is the one for the next five to 10 years then that shouldn’t be a problem. He could be a great appointment.
“But if it is to accommodate Howe because he’s a trustee of his and they’ve had good experiences together, then that’s different. The job description is key here.”
Wotte has seen both sides of the coin. Hans van Bruekelen was his DoF at Utrecht, while Wotte held that role at Feyenoord and hired Erwin Koeman when Ruud Gullit opted to leave.
Hughes has had the title of technical director at Bournemouth since 2014.
He thinks Celtic would have no problem with Hughes being part of Howe’s staff but may feel the director of football appointment is for Parkhead’s power brokers to make.
Wotte said: “I’m not aware of the job description of the title Eddie is suggesting or what Celtic are demanding. Is Hughes to take care of the jobs around the first team that Eddie doesn’t want to do so that Eddie is on the training pitch and touchline?
“I can’t argue with that to make your new manager feel more comfortable. Then maybe he is head of first-team football operations?
“But is he the man for the long-term vision, culture and strategy of Celtic who looks after the future if things go bad with Eddie Howe?
“That’s the director of football job – and has always been at big European clubs. Every club that respects itself needs a director of football.
“If I was Celtic, I’d look for someone to do the job in a similar way as Michael Zorc at Borussia Dortmund, Marc Overmars at Ajax and Monchi at Sevilla.
“All former players who know the business. Appointed by the club. They work for the club. So if the potential Celtic director of football is a guy I like, appreciate, respect and has a proven record of doing well then I’d have two conversations.
“One with the manager for two or three seasons. And one with the director of football for between five and 10 years.”
Wotte was promoted from academy manager to replace Jan Poortvliet at Southampton in January 2009 – four days after Howe was named boss of League Two strugglers Bournemouth.
“Eddie was always at our reserve games looking at our young players,” Wotte recalled.
“Then when he needed advice on Scottish players, he’d sometimes phone.
“I was very positive in recommending Ryan Fraser. That turned out a great move.
“I’ve seen Eddie grow as a very intelligent coach and fantastic Premier League manager.
“Managing to keep Bournemouth in the Premier League every season to being Celtic’s boss is very different.
“I like his style of football, though, he’s a likeable guy and would be a great Celtic signing.
“But it’s also fair to think about the time after Eddie. Maybe another Premier League club will want him, like Leicester did with Rodgers. The club must think about, not only the next three years but the next seven or more.”
