With all senior positions at the club up for grabs at the same time, Nick Hammond, Celtic’s Head of Football Operations, failed to get the Director of Football position, so left the club yesterday. We are yet to appoint a Director of Football, but with Hammond’s departure, it is likely a candidate has been identified and at least informally confirmed.
The Head of Football Operation’s principle role is to identify signing prospects for the club. Since Hammond joined in October 2019, Celtic have performed particularly poorly in this respect, as a consequence, his reputation among the support suffered. Unfairly.
As in any operation, it is easy to scapegoat and easier still to blame the guy who is no longer in the building, but Hammond was only in position four months before travel restrictions stopped him travelling internationally to watch players. It is not a period many would want to be judged on.
Furthermore, the poster boy signing mistakes of this season were nothing (or practically nothing) to do with Hammond. He did not suggest Vasilis Barkas as a target or put his name to the goalkeeper. Similarly, the blame for Shane Duffy cannot be laid at his door. It is also easy for the guy no longer in the building to blame others. When Nick sits in his next job interview, he will tell the story of what might have been, had Celtic signed his personal targets.
Given what I know about the merits of Hammond and Lee Congerton, the chief scout who proceeded Hammond at the club and shared most responsibilities, I would take Hammond all summer long.
The revamp of football operations, scouting and player development has been long in the planning, Hammond played his role here well. Getting the right person as Director of Football is critically important, but I do not subscribe to the guru theory of management. Getting strategy right is everything, the names on the doors, less so.
288 Comments- Pages:
- «
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
- »
Peter Grant worked with EH at Bournemouth
BB- folk can still travel for work purposes.
“Dregin Dragon,Not Jacinda,Wee Krankie”,the Unionists on here fair like their wee nicknames.
Can see them holding hand to mouth,tittering after saying them.
Roll on May.
Carol Reed was a bloke.
“Dregin Dragon,Not Jacinda,Wee Krankie”,the Unionists on here fair like their wee nicknames.
Can see them holding hand to mouth,tittering after saying them.
Roll on May.
—
P67’s Lambeg drum keeps them marchin to the beat
PINTAGUINESS – agree re Broony presser:
Why did Scott talk so effusively about Aberdeen time… ‘regular chats w Cormack, his good mate Stephen, his coaching ambitions, now it’s a new chapter, great club w big ambition…’ all while sitting in Tic Adi gear!!
Easier to shut those questions down with an “I’m Celtic player and captain and 100% focussed here…” quip.
Seriously, JK – nowt but love for SB BUT – your captain’s head is somewhere else.
Bad message for squad ahead of a face-saving Cup campaign.
Soro time again, pls.
My first choice was Martinez and Maloney..was starting to warm to the idea of Keano but now “theres only one Eddie Howe”
HH
Bada……..
Cheers bud, forgot about that pesky work thing!
:)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))
Wow, if you think those names are bad , you wast to get a load of what AS is calling her.
To be fair, it’s much better to be spoken about than ignored.
HH.
Ray Winstone @ 11.32
Bit late for an April Fool….
But I’ll take it!
If it’s to be Howe, then I think we can expect Junior Stanislas to arrive on a free contract. Left winger, Howe signed him during his stint at Burnley and at Bournemouth.
I’d also not be surprised to see his Bournemouth captain Steve Cook arrive – though he reminds me of Duffy so I wouldn’t be too pleased – as well as Adam Smith (right back) both of whom are out of contract too.
Begovic is also out of contract, but he dropped out of Howe’s plans and ended up going on loan to Qarabag, so not sure we,d see him.
Minority of of one.
Not Eddie Howe
But Eddie why ?
https://youtu.be/9M-W8sy09Qw
Gooooood morning cqn from a bright, sunny but very crisp Garngad
I cannot wait to manana to see the Hoops.
Very strange how we now are having talks with Howe after months and months of the guy being unemployed. Why not weeks ago?
Anyway lets get it done and move on.
I think he will be good.
My good lady got her vaccine on Wednesday and had to come home from work yesterday but fine today.
Already had mine weeks ago and was a bit sickly and dizzy but i was fine.
Hail Hail
D :)
MAESTRO @ 10.22pm and 7.36am
Thanks, two good insights into how (?) Howe operates/has operated. I’ve been a fan of his for some time and those wee snippets just reinforce that. Really hope we land him and all the speculation isn’t just guff.
DAVID66, loved your wee comment yesterday “Happy 55th April”. Giggle.
For what it’s worth the Red tops this morning are reporting Mr Howe is ‘willing to stick with Strachan and Kennedy as first team coaches’. Clutch call but I’d prefer a clearing of the decks over continuity I think.
A bright Easter morn here in Free Largs so no need to be sad especially if Eddie is coming to town !
Big weekend for vaccinations in the South Side I’m going today. Quite excited actually, first though a cycle up over fenwick Moor, first of the year, could be painful, but worth it for the incredible views and very often at the top there are lots of buzzards to watch whilst getting the breath back.
Maybe by the time I get back we’ll have a manager 🥱
Jigsaw pieces starting to be put into place …. essentially the new mgr / coach need to introduce a bit of height into the team , keep the ball moving forward , stop players hogging the ball …. and become an awkward handful to play against….
I’d clear out the existing coaching team , full reset required
Happy Easter weekend to all ! Big Jimmy, have not seen you posting for a wee while, hopefully everything’s ok big Ghuy
Timmy 7 ! Going a run down to Ayr later in car , if I see you on fenwick moor give you a toot 😂😂 enjoy your bike run !
EMERALDBEE \O/ A DOUBLE NINER!!
Your welcome likewise I’ve been a keen admirer and even more since he’s been out of work I have another that I saved from a few months ago when he was on MNF.
I will dig out and post this also for you.
Aye..Big Jimmy get on here,I haven’t groaned at one of your jokes for yonks :O)
Emeraldbee- 👍 😂 I wish I could claim credit for that but it was sent to me all day yesterday.
D :)
.
VP – I text Big Jimmy yesterday and him and wee Rocky are doing ok just now.
He just wants to get out for a few Jars.
Jimmy if yer lurking Hail Hail.
D :)
Wishaw Tim – Sorry just seen your post about the Big Man 👍
D :)
Happy Easter everybody from sunny Girvan 😎🇮🇪🍀🍺
Good morning CQN, happy Easter
Well Howe considering the offer over the weekend, we await a stock exchange notice Tues morning
When we consider what when wrong this season the last two articles on CQN regarding matters Celtic football and politics are a perfect illustration, bone heading thinking and playing the fanbase for fools are major contributing factors.
Howe is most certainly an improvement as manager, erudite calm character Howe a student of the game with progress hard-won through 24 hr application, study and work on the training ground, not handed via getting a gig at the wealthiest most powerful club in the league with no substantial rivals to speak off, I hope he is a success and the massive rebuilding job he undertakes will get time to come to fruition
Happy Easter from sunny Bo’ness!
I hope we get Howe but Kennedy and Strachan need to go.
No half measures Celtic!
David 66! Cheers, you have been a great friend to big Jimmy! Well done you! Good luck to your wife on jag ! Mine was in bed all day night Friday, but fine after that
https://youtu.be/F0Wr0tRckJo
There you go fella.
Wishaw Tim – Cheers, that’s good your wife is ok now.
My mate next door and his wife are away just now for their jag, I hope they are fine.
D :)
Happy Easter to one and all from Saarland Germany. :))
See this comment all over Celtic social media, FFS dearie me
I hope we get Howe but Kennedy and Strachan need to go.
Is there a DOF to be appointed? If there is why is he not in place ?
Eddie Howe will judge and assess all football staff till the end of this season, then Eddie Howe will appoint his backroom team, as it should be
LIONROARS67
Once again you attack a post of mine without reason.
I did not say when Kennedy and Strachan should go.
Today, tomorrow, next week, end of season.
They need to go.
I don’t care when.
LIONROARS67 on 2ND APRIL 2021 9:53 AM
Good to see you posting B, hope you and HT enjoying your walking.
On the DoF, I believe he will be announced along with Manager and a Technical Director. Prime candidate for DoF I understand was house hunting over the last week up here, time will tell my friend.
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!