Its Europa League week and we have a game in Milan on Thursday.<\/p>\n
A lot of minds however are now focusing on Friday as they believe that’s when big news could come in respect to Celtics Management set up moving forward.<\/p>\n
In light of that, I thought I would take a quick look at the runners and riders in the race:<\/p>\n
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Now, first of all, there are 2 omissions on possible Celtic Manager odds from Oddschecker, these are: Neil Lennon and John Kennedy.<\/p>\n
Lets include them before looking at others listed.<\/p>\n
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Neil Lennon:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Pros<\/strong>: Won Leagues and Cups and loves the Club. Has shown he can turn around a season from a losing position with Celtic.<\/p>\n Cons<\/strong>: Openly admits his old ways of man management are out of date. Appears to be a man adrift and no-one can be heard clamouring for him to be given more time.<\/p>\n Odds: Etims Bookies 8\/1<\/strong> – Its hard to see how Lenny could stay on unless its purely as a scapegoat\/blocker between the fans and the Board.\u00a0 The Team seem bereft and the Manager seems out of ideas.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n John Kennedy<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Pros<\/strong>: A highly rated young coach ( see Brendan Rodgers & Damien Duff) with a Long association with the Club who apparently rejected Rodgers offer of a role at Leicester.<\/p>\n Cons<\/strong>: Never managed a First team and allegations of Lawwells poodle in the dug-out wont go away. The sentimental aspect of his career finishing early may now be dragging both parties down as questions continue about our poor defence and Kennedys contribution.<\/p>\n Odds: Etims Bookies 5\/1<\/strong> – There may be a chance Kennedy could get the gig, at least until the summer, it depends on how brave Peter Lawwell is feeling. The Celtic fans would soon show their displeasure should Kennedy take over and fail to improve the current issues on the pitch. Would Lawwell dare risk an empty tier next season by taking a punt on a young newbie?…we all know how that worked out with his Deila plan!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Okay, that’s the incumbents…lets look at Oddschecker ( other odds site are available, this just came up first in Google<\/em>) and who they are citing:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Gordon Strachan \u2013 6\/4\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Pros:<\/strong> Been there, seen it, done it. You read that in a Gordon Strachan voice didnt you? The wee man knows the club, knows some of the players and knows the boy with the laptop called Gavin. Won the League and knows whats expected. Would be open to a short term gig to get the club through to the Summer.<\/p>\n Cons:<\/strong> Fans still grumble about how dull the football was. Appointing WGS would hardly quell the flames of anger in many fans hearts and should he start his wee cheeky soundbites and retorts, that could send quite a few over the edge.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Eddie Howe \u2013 5\/2\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Pros:<\/strong> The former Bournemouth Manager left his club after recent relegation and is available. Did well to keep The Cherries up in the EPL for 5 years after winning the Championship and at 43 years of age is young and fresh. Also the first manager to take a pay cut after Covid kicked in so seems a decent sort of fella too!<\/p>\n Cons:<\/strong> That “personal reasons” departure at Burnley still has many wondering why many big clubs didnt try and get him when doing well at Bournemouth. Does fighting relegation or winning promotion in lower leagues give you the experience needed to be a Manager of Celtic looking to win the 10?<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Henrik Larsson \u2013 6\/1\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Pros:<\/strong> The man, the legend. If you wanted one appointment to get fans back on-side then Lawwell could fill the stadium if Henrik was to turn up at Parkhead. Maybe he could bring Jordan with him to play up front too.<\/p>\n Cons:<\/strong> Not the greatest management CV. Also just went to Barcelona as striker coach under Ronald Koeman so even though it seems a nice idea, its more 66\/1 than bookies trying to make it a 6\/1 chance in my book<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Roy Keane \u2013 6\/1\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Pros:<\/strong> Football great and a man that knows the club. Keane is a no nonsense man who says it how it is and could quickly deal with any stroppy players. Strong willed enough to make demands and see they are met. Already walked away from the job once when Lawwell told him Deila was his assistant.<\/p>\n Cons:<\/strong> See Lawwell and Deila above. Lawwell much more powerful\/paranoid now it appears so doubtful he would look to appoint the fiery no-nonsense Irishman to come between him and Dermot.\u00a0 Keane also has limited managerial experience and playing number 2 to MON may not be enough to win over fans.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Steve Clarke \u2013 9\/1\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Pros:<\/strong> Many folk fancied the current Scotland and ex Killie manager before Lennon was given the role full time. A good coach who can inspire and get players playing to their maximum potential and can get tactics right more often than not. May have a fine disdain for Rangers too<\/p>\n Cons:<\/strong> The Euros mean theres no chance Clarke will leave the Scotland role before next Summers tourney is over. He might be in place by next season starting but by then it could be Celtic and Rangers fighting for his services.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Michael O\u2019Neill \u2013 10\/1\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Pros:<\/strong> A highly experienced football man who likes the club and knows the league. ONeill did well when managing Northern Ireland to Euro Championships in recent past. Can rally struggling players to excel and soon saved Stoke from relegation when appointed.<\/p>\n Cons:<\/strong> Would cost money and unlikely Peter Lawwell would be looking at making compensation payments.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Rafa Benitez – 10\/1 \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Pros:<\/strong> The mans Tier 1 Manager Level. Knows how to make a winning team and has proven he knows how to win trophies.<\/p>\n Cons:<\/strong> His last contract was rumoured to be \u00a312m..tax free in China. That THUD sound was either Peter Lawwell fainting or Dermot just slammed his cheque book on the desk…we know which one is more likely.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Other possible names in frame…<\/p>\n Mauricio Pochettino<\/strong> – Sits awaiting that Man United call but OGS keeps pulling that one result out the fire. Go get him Peter..hang the expense!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Roger Schmidt<\/strong> – Likes the High Press and only staying a few years. Available after China spell following time at Salzburg and Leverkusen.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ralf Ragnick<\/strong> – Football Guru but doesnt like the idea of rescuing failing sides or giving up football power so doubtful could work with Lawwell<\/p>\n <\/p>\n