Appointing a manager is an incredible gamble but the risks can be mitigated, especially at a club which is successful or even pointing in the right direction. In this case, clubs should look to build upon whatever platform they have. Bringing in a new guy with a team development strategy which is completely different from the existing plan accentuates the risks.
This is why the boot room strategy is successful over any extended period. Build on what you have, sign players needed by the squad and who have been scouted extensively. The new man may or may not prove to be the world’s best coach but at least he’ll have a successful infrastructure to insulate the club from lurching into oblivion.
When Gordon Strachan succeeded Martin O’Neill, Gordon picked up a scouting folder, flew to Poland and got on with the development project, much as Martin would have, had he stayed. Celtic were technically no less successful when Tony Mowbray took over in 2009 but the team, and strategy, were tired. A change of direction was appealing, we couldn’t continue to sign Hibs players, although the execution of the new strategy was flawed. The writing was on the wall from the moment we signed £3.9m Marc-Antoine Fortune.
Neil Lennon was an enormous gamble when he was appointed in 2010. He was a rookie, had never signed a player, won a trophy (as manager), or deployed a game plan in anger. There were a few facts in his favour. He’d worked with the other coaches at the club, as well as chief scout, John Park, and Peter Lawwell. For years, they shared a development vision. Celtic retreated into a strategy closely aligned to the vision of the remaining technical staff.
Despite the Scottish Cup semi-final debacle against Ross County Neil got the job, spent much of the next year learning a few painful lessons and hasn’t looked back since. The club gambled on the guy with ultimate responsibility, but they knew he was not about the step out on a ledge.
The time to have a root-and-branch clear-out is following a John Barnes-type season. The manager was wrong, as was tactics, scouting and team development plan. Martin O’Neill brought with him radical and necessary change. This worked at Celtic but, if anything, it is even more risky than appointing a rookie. The lower leagues of England are full of clubs who have gambled unsustainable money on a manager only to come a cropper.
There are gems out there, Pochettino and Simeone, for example, but finding them is a challenge. Pochettino pitched up at Southampton after being sacked by a hugely underperforming Espanyol, and Simeone got the Atletico Madrid job after several years of average-to-poor returns.
Big Davie Moyes was a good manager at Everton but watching him at Manchester United was a bit like watching him 30 years ago in a Celtic shirt. He started by dismantling whatever platforms were in place and served notice he would be following a Haphazard and Wasteful player recruitment policy on the final day of last summer’s transfer window by blowing all his pocket money on a guy he didn’t need and refused to sign for less money a few weeks earlier. He had to go.
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gerrybhoy
15:06 on 22 April, 2014
…………
Gerry
I don’t agree pal, Moyes got his p45 because he wasn’t successful, the glaziers want/ need instant success, it’s just a money thing and it’s the way fitba is now, we need to change and recover football from the good business people who have ripped the heart out of it. We can do it CSC
BMCUWP
It’s too warm.
MWD YES YIP YES
Are you listening Celtic?
Moyes was destined to fail at Manchester United from the moment he accepted the job. Simply because anyone following Alex Ferguson was on a hiding to nothing.
But English football is a circus anyway. It pays well right enough.
BMCUWP
Seriously!
I don’t remember there being a need to feed the poorest in our communities via organised donations and foodbanks pre Tory Gov’t. So yes the climate has changed drastically for many.
MWD say YES to indyref and no foodbanks in an Indy Scotland.
MWD
Whose gonny take the young fella to the games then!
Here flaky try this site.
https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=treatment+for+flaky+skin&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en-gb&client=safari
JamesGang, fingers and toes crossed for your Mums recovery, and keep that in mind, it will be a full recovery. Positive mental attitude, as well as the love of a family, works wonders.
Miracles some come them, but hey ho what’s in a name.
MWD, I like pink and I like Kelpies, but not pink Kelpies, oh no, not them.
Doc saying, aye awright then.
Neil Lennon has achieved more in his short time with Celtic than Davie Moyes can dream about. There’s no way Moyes would have gotten Celtic as far in Europe. I predicted this outcome at the start of the season. As has been pointed out, Davy is a mid-table guy. His biggest problem, as with most British managers, is this—he has no imagination. Like Allerdyce and the rest, he has a one-track mind. Look at Martinez and Rodgers–the players love them. They can’t wait to get onto the park and play. Mourhino, for all his faults, has the same effect. His problem is short term achievement, as seen by the number of clubs he’s been at. He alienates people, whereas Rodgers and Martinez has them buying into the dream. Rodgers is out to recreate the old Boot Room at Liverpool. He’ll do it, too.
Now, how many threats, bombs, bullets, sanctions, fines, assaults etc have any of the above been subjected to? Do you think it may have affected their outlook/achievement?
We underestimate what Neil lennon has done sometimes. What I do know is, is that he’s a man I’d want by my side when the going got tough.
He’s a better fit for Man U than Davy Moyes ever was.
How is Police Scotland’s investigation into five Hibernian fans singing a racist song about Rudy Skacel coming along?
I’d imagine this falls under the OB Act.
Philbhoy
I will pick and chose my games. I am a customer afterall.
MWD YES yes YES yes YES
I might even Choose my games instead.
MWD YIPIDEEDOODAA
mWD
“just checking whether it’s ok to talk about non-football/celtic related stuff as long as it is not Independence related.:”
There’s more pro-Independence stuff on here than you can shake a stick at. It is the predominant view of most posters on here, I’d say. The main cry has been to go lightly on the heavy political stuff and I think Billy Bhoy has learned to do that.
It’s not as if you are getting a lot of proactive stuff from the Vote No camp bringing on, uninvited, arguments in favour of the Better Together campaign. We mainly react when some blatant stupidities are aired.
In the spirit of co-operation, I offer these as particular red rags to be avoided.
1) I cannot understand why people are in favour of Irish Independence but not for Scotland.
2) Vote Yes and you will get the government you voted for.
3) The No campaign is just Project Fear but, if you don’t vote Yes, UKIP will run the land.
4) Scotland will be a land of milk and honey while England & Wales will become 3rd world economies.
5) You are a Paisleyite Unionist if you vote No.
6) Vote Yes and we’ll cure diarrhoea, psoriasis and Campbell Ogilvie (but not if you’re English)
7) I don’t understand the No voters- they’re weird! Now vote for us and let the uncomprehending rule over you.
Vmhan,
agree with you but the Mata thing sealed it for him IMO.
HH
Gerry
Moonbeams WD. Rooting for Wee Oscar. Voting ‘YES’ on the 18th of September. Kano’s yer man.
On the subject of skin if you can get Light Therapy on the NHS I would suggest that, I had it in 2009, three times a week, three months course, never looked back mate after a life long problem, still get the odd wee patch when I boxed with stress or no sleeping good.
Ask yer GP, mine recommended me and that wis that..
Starry..
SFTB
I just noted Billy Bhoy being pulled for a wee single post this morning so i thought I’d test the water.
But first answer my non-football/Celtic related questions please?
MWD says YIP I DO I DO I DO
MWD
Aside from my comment about climate. We can deal with that later,though I largely agree with you (IMO,the standard of living in Scotland has lagged most other countries for about 40 years now)
Giving up your season tickets is your choice to make,and Lord knows I’ve had and have issues with the club/board.
But….
The huns are deid,the new huns are effed,the next huns will go the same way.
The only possible benefit they can take from their repeated implosions is that somehow they damage us too.
I don’t like to see a happy hun,even if it’s only a happy hun who disnae have a team to support anymore,but can say…
“Neither do you!”
The authorities are pulling every stroke,bud. But they are still failing.
I wish you would reconsider,but I won’t-dare-to,criticise you if you don’t.
HH
SFTB
and as for point 8
what a lot of gash that was.
MWD just vote YES you old git. :-)
If LG gets the same people who done the investigation on mr Black from Sevco on the illegal gambling there will be no problem at all, cough!cough!
After Sunday’s discussion on The Smiths I decided to play Rank for the first time in about 20 years yesterday.
I’m listening to it for the fourth time in two days. Brilliant album. I had forgotten how good it is.
Rebel rebel
Smooth
(Thumbs up)
V
Whilst I have almost never missed Sunday Mass got out of the habit of regular prayer for many years. Started again after my Dad died a few years ago and now can’t get to sleep unless I have night prayers said. Have a wee system to ensure I don’t forget anyone near or dear living or dead. Lately I have had to change my system to create a CQN box. Whilst I am trying to be somewhat light hearted, I am sincere and when I get to my CQN box tonight, I will indeed pray for jamesgang’s wee Mam.
BMCUWP
I don’t give a monkey’s about huns, died or non-dead, old or new.
I have issues with how our club is being run. how our club treat sections of it’s own fan base. How our club forgot our history but can face the statue of brother Walfrid every day by refusing to pay a fair pay to it’s staff. How our club are are and will allow the died mob to keep their brand of yore without question while attempting to back it up with pitiful reasons and excuses.
MWD is YES but is also now a Customer.
tonydonnelly67
LG needs the same jury that cleared the clown that attacked Lenny at Tynecastle.
LB
setting free the bears supports Res. 12 & Oscar Knox
15:23 on
22 April, 2014
As the process towards becoming a top player gets closer to the dream becoming realised, it is inevitable in some cases that young players lose out in circumstances that are not sensitive to player and his family, the old S- form system was appalling, players being jettisoned at a drop of a hat, give you an example and this was our club! no names though
Easter week training and trial games at barrowfield, Manager to chief scout, sign x and y boy liked the look of them, chief scout to manager i am only allowed to sign 30 S forms and we have 28 signed now, and i always like to keep 1/2 spare in case the next Jinky appears, manager all we need to do is release a kid we feel we can let go and use the freed up form to sign the next jinky
Very glad to say i now wholeheartedly approve of the new pro set up at Lennoxtown with training schedules working in tandem with education on a daily basis, as our 17’s and 20’s squads now show it is very difficult to for lads who only train part time to get into those senior squads, with technique and fitness levels suffering due to lack of time spent on these issues, Celtic are also increasing becoming a major contributor to national youth squads, the style of play played by our 17’s and 20’s is also very encouraging
I think we get the governments and football management we deserve.
Most people fall for the superficial charm and presentation skills of a Blair, Cameron, Obama, or Clinton whereas more grounded personalities who do not present well on TV are discounted as not PM or President material. The political campaigns are run by advertisement men and PR gurus selling us a product and we lap it up like an X factor audition. I’m fed up with him, let’s bring in her as she could hardly be worse, can she? Until she does, indeed, prove worse.
The same with football managers. The reason that they do not get time to develop a club system is that everything is geared to instant results. It militates against the club builders like Stein & Ferguson & Wenger and it favours the guys who are only concerned about their own CV, like Harry Redknapp and Brian Clough, who crippled clubs with debts that they could not afford.
Look at all of Redknapp’s former clubs, (Bournemouth, West Ham, Portsmouth, Southampton, Spurs and QPR). All have serious overloaded debts which led to them being crippled for a decade or more. Clough brought unforeseen success to two middling clubs, Derby and Forest by spending the Chairman’s money without considering if it could be afforded or not. After all, if the club meets difficulties, Harry and Brian will get offers from other gullible clubs. Portsmouth, hell mend them, invited Harry back.
Clough and Redknapp are both good managers of footballers; they are poor managers of football clubs. Spend the money, destroy the mid term future of the club and then move on to the next gig.
jamesgang
So sorry to read your post.
I am a heathen.
I will cross my fingers and toes for your Mum and will even say a prayer in the hope it can be heard.
Tony D
Or the attack on a Scottish football manager which was witnessed across the world, the result of that particular episode would not be believed or achieved anywhere else, it’s Scotland’s shame.
Green Brigade CSC
Corkcelt
you made me smile! that’s got to be….well ….braw…as yer mhan would say!
the CQN box is a powerful thing…
Thunder Road and all of my brothers and sisters in Celtic – thank you.
HH jamesgang
corkcelt
I am a lapsed catholic but do believe in God. I pray on a regular basis and often my prayers have been answered in a good way.
My life (I was 65 last week) has had it’s ups and downs but what helps me today is to find a quiet spot at home in the morning where I sit and think of what is good in my life today.
Two minutes or so is all it takes, but I find it very therapeutic.
Take care.
jamesgang
I’ve not read your post, can someone direct me to it please.
V
MWD
Pretty much the same problems that many,including myself,have.
Mine really started when they refused to defend the support over allegations at the Rennes game. And we know how punishments have snowballed from that.
I have it easy,bud. I’m 400 miles away. It’s easy for me to say do this do that,cos I don’t buy a ticket anyway. And I would question,as you are,whether I should,were I back home.
It’s not an easy situation to deal with,because I know how strongly people feel about it. I know how strongly I feel,ffs.
But I just canny see any benefit from damaging Celtic.
Please don’t think this is a criticism,nor is it meant as an instruction.
I’ll tell you what it is,it’s a bloody quandary!
I don’t agree with Leigh Griffiths’ behaviour as reported, but I would like to know if he was singing in a choir or was he singing solo. If it was a choir were the other singers charged?
Thunder Road, 15.52 On that post you are most certainly not a heathen. Say that prayer, just got a feeling that the Big Mhan, takes more notice of the likes of you then the likes of me.
BMCUWP
It is my club that is forcing me to make the decision to damage them. i should not need to make that decision.
MWD says YES
Vmhan
it’s on p1 at 13.01 pal.
HH jamesgang
SFTB 15:51
..(tin hat on here)..
Could you have added the name “O’ Neill” alongside Clough and Redknapp?
Jamesgang, will say a prayer for your mum that she beats this horrible disease.