Whilst the ongoing discussions are taking place between Celtic and potential managerial candidates – with constructive talks having taken place between the hierarchy and Robbie Keane recently and with Martin O’Neill due for a sit down too – Tam McManus reckons principal shareholder Dermot Desmond will come back to what he knows this time around…
Celtic parted ways with Brendan Rodgers last October and it set in motion a season full of angst and upheaval, particularly surrounding the managers job.
Rodgers left again under another cloud
Martin O’Neill was drafted in to stem the bleeding at first when Rodgers left again under another cloud of suspicion and rumour, holding the fort whilst the club sourced a replacement.
Michael Nicholson apparently chose hapless French coach Wilfried Nancy to take over the reins from the Invincible Treble winner and things couldn’t have gone worse. In scenes too contrived for a novel, Celtic’s season went from bad to worse, as Nancy’s erratic style of play and lack of distinct structure in his 3-4-3 formation killed the team.
Nancy was eventually relieved of his duties in January
Nancy was eventually relieved of his duties in January, after we fell to a 3-1 defeat to our arch rivals at Celtic Park.
It fell upon Martin O’Neill again to come in and rescue the seasonÂ
It fell upon Martin O’Neill again to come in and rescue the club from the utter incompetence that resides within the executive branch of the club, with the winter transfer window highlighting the sheer ineptitude of the CEO and the rest of Desmond’s assorted and carefully curated lackeys.
O’Neill stepped back into the chaos and snatched victory from the jaws of defeat
The man who won a Treble in his inaugural season at the club way back in 2000, and then took us on a rollercoaster in European football for several years – culminating in an extraordinary UEFA Cup run in 2003, which went all the way to Seville with José Mourinho’s Porto – stepped back into the chaos and snatched victory from the jaws of defeat, without any aid from those up above, in terms of recruitment.
Now ex-Hibs striker and PLZ Soccer pundit McManus, reckons Desmond will go back to the man he knows so well for next term.
“He’s finished the season fantastic. Won the Double. He’s come in and saved them”
Speaking on the PLZ Soccer show, with Peter Martin and Alan Rough, he said: “I think Martin’s in the box seat. He’s in a strong position. He’s finished the season fantastic. Won the Double. He’s come in and saved them.
“He’s won the League single-handedly. If it wasn’t for Martin O’Neill, I don’t think Celtic win that League Championship. If you’re asking me who do you think will be the Celtic manager next year — I think it will be Martin.”
McManus continued: “I think Dermot Desmond will be sounding out a few agents and a few managers abroad. But I think he’s going to come back to Martin O’Neill.
“I think he’s going to come back to Martin O’Neill and say, ‘do you fancy another year?’. And I don’t think Martin O’Neill is going to say no. If your asking me who I think is going to be the Celtic manager next year, I think it will be Martin.
“They will do their due diligence and go and speak to people, but to be honest, I think it will be Martin.”
Paul Gillespie
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1 Comment
Whether its O’Neill and his team of winners, or the unproven Keane, there must be cast iron guarantees of recruitment and funding, as early as possible, for the season ahead. Not holding my breath!
I would personally select MON, as I believe he offers the best continuity, the best coaching staff, and likely even the best leverage with the moustached dictator (for whatever that’s worth in real terms). Even if just for another 1 year, the club would have a stable platform to continue with under the direction of Martin and co.