Simon Jordan believes Martin O’Neill could have an important influence over Celtic’s next managerial appointment if the veteran boss decides to bring his latest spell in charge to an end…
O’Neill’s future has come under renewed scrutiny after the 74-year-old publicly raised doubts over his position in the aftermath of Celtic’s latest derby defeat.
Jordan, who knows O’Neill personally, believes his experience and understanding of the demands at Parkhead could make him a valuable figure in the process of identifying a successor. Speaking on Talksport, ex-Celtic striker Mark McGhee said that O’Neill should have been offered an alternative role at the club which Jordan railed against.
“I think at the end of last season, Martin should have went upstairs and should have become the director of football, and he could have mentored in a new, young manager with energy to take the club forward.”
Jordan rejected the director-of-football suggestion: “I don’t think he is, I don’t think Martin is in that space. So, I think what you are talking about is tokenism. Martin doesn’t want tokenism.”
But Jordan believes O’Neill could help Celtic select his eventual replacement. “What Martin could be involved in is a recruitment process that brings in a successor.”
There is currently no indication that an immediate change is being planned, unless O’Neill decides himself to step away. Chief Exec and MIA Michael Nicholson offered public backing hidden away in the release of Celtic’s annual results.
Nevertheless, succession planning will inevitably remain on the agenda. The fear for Celtic supporters is that the club will not act upon this as has been exemplified by the decision to appoint O’Neill in the summer.
O’Neill initially returned to steady Celtic during a turbulent period (twice) and subsequently delivered domestic success before agreeing to remain in charge on a longer-term basis. Celtic knew in January that they had to find a new manager but the options were either MON or Robbie Keane, who was not a popular choice with fans.
Celtic could have provided an opportunity to O’Neill to move onto the board as part of the reshuffle where he’d have been able to exert his influence in another way. This would have allowed Celtic to get a modern manager in situ to help develop the club.
Celtic will be seeking an appointment capable of restoring stability and providing a clear long-term direction after an unusually turbulent period in the Parkhead dugout. The club have been silent on this but they could improve fan engagement, as ex-CEO Dom McKay promised, and tell fans what’s going on.
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1 Comment
Not much point in back tracking on the decision taken, over our managerial role imo?
Personally still don’t know why MoN, was prepared to take it on, especially as it didn’t make much sense, and still doesn’t imo?
We knew we were entering a transitional period, heading into this summer.
Yet with the amount of new arrivals expected, with MoN in position, knowing he wasn’t going to be in the position long term?
Didn’t make much sense, when you are looking to hand out 4 plus year contracts, to incoming players?
So contracts handed out, had to consider, they would also potentially fit into the plans of a potential new manager also?
A dangerous mix, but looking at protecting our player trading model?
That’s was potentially the decision taken, especially as Keane was viewed as a non starter for the managerial position?
Pleasing the majority of our support, still influenced the decision making process also imo?
Hardly to surprising that calmac made the individual claims upon player’s, while forming a proper team, hasn’t been achieved yet?
Whether MoN and his coaching set up, can achieve the likes, remains to be seen?
Or whether someone else, is going to take the task on?
However, I would have been in favour, and still am, in MoN potentially working within our club? Moreso behind the scenes, than in taking the footballing decisions required upon a weekly, and day by day basis?
Still haven’t got any confidence in Nicholson able to conclude deals, upon the quality of player, we are hoping to attract into our club?
Understandable it’s becoming a harder task, with the attraction of SPFL football dropping by the season, without Scottish teams making any progress within European football?
Especially over recent seasons, and still in operation this season also, to date?
CL remains the biggest attraction, despite ourselves looking nowhere near, a CL quality team?
That has to be developed, regardless of the concerns that exists within our coaching set up, and such a poor record of developing players into CL quality players?
We can However, develop players for the player trading model all the same?
A balance in existence, that isn’t really workable any longer imo?
Yet, still believe that MoN would have a far bigger influence in trying to attract players, far better than Nicholson will ever have imo?
Still suspect, that way too big of bonus payments are handed out, to the suits?
In order for profits made within our player trading model imo?
Needs to be potentially addressed properly at the next AGM?
Along with the budget figure, any potential managerial candidates, are expected to work within?
But as much as MoN, could be the perfect candidate, to address such an issue?
It’s also highly unlikely, that such a candidate, putting the actual footballing department first, before potential individual greed?
Is unlikely to happen anytime soon, especially if not addressed properly at this upcoming AGM properly imo?