The Emperors New Tracksuit or Brave New World? An Observation on Ronny Deila as Manager

By The Provocative H

Without any question, the hot topic on the lips of Celtic fans in recent weeks has been the performances of the team, and relative to that, of the manager. This seemed to reach a crescendo in the midst of some truly horrible results and performances, and in particular after Roy Keane went into publicity mode with several scattered quotes from his book, which undoubtedly placed further heat (and certainly a degree of light) on the appointment of the present incumbent of the managerial position.

Even in the midst of improving results at present (I am writing this on the Wednesday before we travel to Romania), the key question seems to be whether we stick or twist with Ronny, and it’s a question that I cannot come to a firm view on at present. There seems to be a maelstrom of internet fiction, gossip, conclusions and in all likelihood, some fact, surrounding the appointment of Ronny. Amongst all this, how is any fan to objectively conclude on this most difficult and emotional of questions?

In my view the most important performance indicators are whether or not the manager is delivering against the “plan” that he, in agreement with the Board, has been tasked with.  From a football perspective, this seems to be to an overhaul of the “culture” of the football team, focussed on improving the individual athletic and professional approach of each player in order that the collective ultimately benefits. The goal of the plan in question to be achieved by this is to ensure that Celtic are leading not only in Scottish football, but are able to genuinely pose a football challenge to the great and the good of the elite European arena that is the Champions League. In order to deliver this plan, Ronny has to become the chief executive officer of the football team. He has to use his leadership skills to draw on support from his management team and players, to determine the recruitment strategy, and to communicate clearly his vision and how he will implement it in a way that a dressing room of people from differing countries, cultures and bluntly differing degrees of working brain cells will buy into to deliver. Easy, eh?

This is where a question arises though, and it is around the ambition of the plan. You’ll see I have set out my vision of what Celtic should be doing (which I would hope is shared by most Celtic fans) – dominate Scotland and compete in Europe. Let’s not wait another generation until we have another Seville, a last 16 in the Champions League or a Europa run that has the fans genuinely believing we have a fighting chance any of the teams in that competition. Recent seasons have seen a very inconsistent Celtic in Europe. Post Seville has seen us beat Barca, get our backsides handed back to us by the same team, beat the eventual Champions League winners and the ignominy of the Legia Warsaw/Maribor results. Our positive European results have been, on the whole, achieved through a solid, organised and dare I say “stodgy” approach to the games. Lyon (2-0, and my favourite Henrik Larsson performance) and Benfica (3-0, and my favourite Kenny Miller performance……..) at Celtic Park apart, where we have played an open game the result has not often gone our way – the last game against Juve is the most recent example I can think of. Ronny’s belief is however that to get the fabled “next level” then it his vision of a team of fast, fit footballers playing a high pressing attacking game that are only capable of delivering it.

Assuming then that we want to compete using this more open style of attacking football, the reality of the matter is that Ronny will need time to implement his plan – both in terms of the fitness and ability of the players available to him. There is of course no guarantee of success to this and ultimately will only be measured as such if the high water marks of Seville and last 16 qualifications are surpassed.

Its early days, but thus far the report card for Ronny does not make for overwhelmingly positive reading. At the risk of repetition, the plan is to develop a more open brand of attacking football to ensure continued domination of Scottish football and to be able to compete in Europe in this fashion, which in Ronny’s own words is what he came to do. The problem is that it is not progress that is being currently measured, but regress.  Celtic were 6^th in the league at one point (league positioning admittedly being the most transient and yet telling performance indicator) and failed to qualify for the Champions League, despite the two opportunities afforded to them. In short, thus far the plan is not being delivered by him. Individual and team performances have fluctuated significantly (even our Euro Cup results have been achieved through shambolic performances in my view).  Against these shortcomings, the “skin of our teeth” Champions League qualification achieved under Neil Lennon last year seems all the more remarkable. Neil’s use of tried and tested players, knowing their jobs and game plan eventually saw Celtic cross the Rubicon of the qualifiers and reach the gates of Rome. However, on any view, the actual Champions League campaign was dismal but that should not diminish Neil’s managerial methods and seem only to amplify the present failings.

Why is this then? Has the manager been able to communicate his vision to his players in a manner that they know what their respective roles are, and the standards that are required and to be maintained? Now, this is pure speculation on my part, but I get the sense that Ronny and John Collins are at the top of the mountain shouting the players up, as opposed to going to the bottom and walking, cajoling or inspiring them to reach the summit. I’d say this is natural for two guys who strike me as pretty intelligent and have clearly have set themselves high standards but are running against the clock to make the changes they want.  There is a fine line between installing a sense of urgency and one of panic. Both are contagious but the wildfire of the later is infinitely more destructive. Despite the sound bites in the press and the almost weekly sermon from Stefan Johansen, I don’t get the sense that all of the present group of players are genuinely buying into this new approach and each poor result (or indeed performance regardless of result) is simply adding to the fire. Any environment that goes through change needs its people to embrace it, and a few quick wins in the course of these changes that deliver results are always important to achieve if you want to succeed – as basic as “see? I told you this would work!”

I was heartened to hear Ronny discuss his football principles last week and state that he would not slavishly be sticking to one system (4-2-3-1). I also though he showed some major cajoles in keeping Scepovic on against Astra – this showed some tenacity as opposed to stubbornness and was rewarded by a goal. The success of 2 strikers being played in the next game seemed to build on this – then we have some bafflement that since his first steps on the road to success, Scepovic has largely featured on the bench. This decision puts doubt in some peoples mind that despite a winning formula, Ronny tinkers again with personnel and formation. So what it is it now – stubbornness, inflexibility, sheer bloody-mindedness or something more fundamental? It was a change in strategy that he did not have to take – it was an unnecessary risk and seems to me to cement the idea that after some improvement, he is back up that hill again. No doubt that this series of successive wins has bought Ronny some time and perhaps dampened if not extinguished the gnawing doubts that many of us have. However, I fear that all it will take will be one bad result which may expose Ronny’s methods to further scrutiny and damnation and the race to the bottom will have one inevitable consequence.

That is unless, perhaps, one thing happens. The Board back Ronny fully and meaningfully with both time and money, the most precious of commodities in football these days. Give him the mandate to get rid of players who are not buying into his vision (either because they cannot or will not). No sacred cows – and that applies to both the team and his backroom staff. Be clear with the support that they will allow Ronny and his team full unfettered support and allow him some breathing space to continue to shape a team that will deliver the goals that we ALL want. Some resolve and leadership at CEO level is required if indeed the Board back their man.

In the end, a football managers careers compare very well with the old adage about political careers –  they are doomed to end in failure. If we end Ronny’s tenure just now, we will never know what could have been achieved. Nor does there strike me as a readymade successor being available. My fear is that the likes of Owen Coyle and the same old tired names would spring the next manager and the reign of Ronny would simply be another failed experiment ala the John Barnes era. As a club we do not want to deter potential managers by having a reputation for being a shotgun hiring company. For all the criticisms of the Board (many of which I believe are wholly justified), they are not daft and know that their credibility amongst the support would be nearing exhaustion if they decide to replace Ronny – his fate and that of certain other people at the club are now intertwined and are forged in the minds of the support. However, nor can the status quo continue and the Board cannot simply remain silent and peddle what appears to be limited support to the manager. Their actions over the next few weeks, particularly if results do not pick up, will speak louder than words. Let the manager be in full control, so at least he has a chance to do what he said he would. If he wants to spend a large part of his budget in securing our new Super Swede, then let him.  We will see if he is up to the task, or an empty vessel who is unable to walk the walk. If the later, he cannot be the only person at Celtic Park who has to face the consequences of failure and I would expect to see the Board start the recruitment process for a new CEO.