So Ronny Deila has come out and told the world that he will be leaving Celtic this summer.

Not many will be surprised by this announcement as Deila has failed to take the Hoops forward and if anything they have declined under the Norwegian’s watch.

The Scottish Cup semi-final defeat to Rangers seems to have been the final straw for Deila and his time in Glasgow. He’ll obviously hope to leave on a slight high by winning yet another league championship.

This has seen the media jump all over themselves to speculate who may takeover at Parkhead. Many a Scottish journalist has had their black books out as they phoned every unemployed manager in Europe to see if they’d be interested in taking the hotseat.

Now why not jump on the bandwagon? Plus if I am going to jump on said bandwagon then I am going to do it in a big way!

So I’ve selected ten possible managers who may get a call from Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell in the up and coming weeks.

Neil Lennon: 

Well Lennon was the previous boss before Deila came in during the summer of 2014.

It was said that Neil had had enough of life in the Glasgow fishbowl and that the board didn’t meet his expectations or ambition when it came to buying new talent for the squad.

Now Lennon has came out and stated he’d like to be considered for the job again:

“If I get the chance to speak to the Celtic board then I will.” 

The former Celtic midfielder’s stock hasn’t risen after his tough fifteen month stint at Bolton Wanderers but many will remember his two league title triumphs and his big European wins.

He would relish taking on Mark Warburton’s Rangers and try and get the Scottish champions back in the Champions League.

Has enough changed since his last spell? Would the majority of Celtic fans want to see him back or bring in someone new?

At least Neil Lennon will know what to expect if he gets the job again.

Henrik Larsson: 

If Larsson isn’t the greatest Celt of all time then he’s certainly Celtic’s best ever foreign player and the best of his generation.

That acclaim will buy him time with the fans but it could also tarnish his hero status if it all goes wrong (Example: Ally McCoist).

The Swede has consistently said that he wishes to end his project with Helsingborgs IF at the right time, at the moment they are currently fourth bottom in the Swedish league. So would he quit at this time?

A great player doesn’t always make it as a great manager. I really don’t think he’s proven himself enough as a boss to be considered seriously for this role at this time.

Roy Keane: 

Supposedly Roy turned down the job before Ronny Deila took over in 2014. Again has enough changed at Celtic Park for him to takeover this time?

Keane has stated he is ready to return to club management and will probably be free after the Euros.

A man who divides opinion amongst the Hoops support. As a player he was controversial, opinionated and aggressive. That was OK because he had the ability to back it up. Now he seems to have gone into football management with the same attitude but not the ability to back it up.

Made a meal of it at both Ipswich and Sunderland, bringing in a lot of players and falling out with most of them.

But has a few years working under former Celtic great Martin O’Neil matured Keane enough to become a better manager?

He’s a big name that the board seem keen on.

David Moyes: 

Well the former Man United and Everton gaffer has plenty of English Premier League experience and can work to a budget.

Showed with the Toffees that given time he can turn things around at a club. Although he showed at Man Utd that he can get things spectacularly wrong. So which one would Celtic get?

His reputation has been dented after his time at Old Trafford and with his spell at Real Sociedad but he’d still want more say at Parkhead when it came to recruitment. Would the Celtic board give him that control?

The bookies favourite for what thats worth. Moyes has been heavily linked with the Aston Villa post.

Alan Stubbs: 

Former Celtic defender Stubbs has impressed at Hibs during his two seasons at Easter Road. Has the ability to get under Mark Warburton’s skin.

His chances may improve if he can secure Hibs their first Scottish Cup final win since 1902. Obviously stopping Rangers from claiming the trophy and getting into Europe would be extra special bonus.

His appointment wouldn’t create hysteria at Celtic Park and although he has impressed he still hasn’t won anything of note.

Garry Monk:

Is young and ambitious.

He had Swansea City playing attractive football when he was in charge. Possibly wasn’t given enough time to get things back on track at the Swans.

Would probably need someone with experience in beside him to help him. Could be viewed by the board as someone who wouldn’t demand as much control as the rest of the possible candidates.

Again lack of experience may harm his chances of getting this job.

Julen Lopetegui:

One for this thinking outside of the box.

The forty-nine year old had FC Porto playing some lovely football during his stint in charge at the Portuguese champions. He had an impressive 68% win ratio with the Dragons.

So he has experience managing a top club in a smaller European league. As a player he managed to play for both Real Madrid and Barcelona, so should be able to handle derby days.

Won the European U19 and U21 championships as their manager. So that pedigree of working with young players could interest the Celtic board.

His failure to win a major championship with Porto could be worrying for Celtic fans.

Brendan Rodgers: 

Another former English Premier League heavyweight who is looking for a new gig.

His passing, pressing and attacking philosophy can be extremely attractive when it is properly executed. Took Liverpool back into the Champions League which was a big achievement.

Would want to prove himself in his next job and could relish the chance of managing another big club.

His wage demands may put off the board and does he really want to manage in Scotland next?

Marcelo Biesla: 

The Argentine would certainly be the hipsters choice and he’d definitely bring a unique attacking brand of football that would excite Celtic fans early on.

But his methods and his sides often fall away in the second half of a season as opposing teams work out how to play them.

I doubt the Celtic squad would get fully behind his ideas.

Too much of a risk and that will put Lawwell off.

Ryan Giggs: 

The Manchester United hero was supposedly up in Glasgow earlier in the season and speculation mounted that he was up to discuss the Celtic job.

It looks like Louis van Gaal is about to depart at Old Trafford in the summer and if Giggs doesn’t takeover then I’d imagine he will look to try his luck elsewhere.

A chance to go to a strong side outside of England may interest the Welshman.

But again has he got the experience? I think Celtic would take a chance on him becoming the next Sir Alex Ferguson.

Posted on April 20th, 2016 by scott
Filed under: Article