Howe and premature news

I read a lot of confidence that the appointment of Eddie Howe is a done deal, all a matter of getting Bournemouth’s play-off games out of the way to allow the appointment of his backroom staff.  If only the world worked this way.

Managerial appointments have commercial consequences.  If Celtic had a manager contracted, the stock market would be informed at an early opportunity.  Negotiations are no one else’s business but it is inappropriate to keep commercially sensitive information like this from the market.

Eddie may have shaken hands, spent an hour with the media team for a planned reveal, but a contract?  Sorry.  You will know very soon after that is signed.  Until then, it is a draft document.

It also makes no sense waiting on the availability of backroom staff before announcing the manager, who could easily tell the media, “I’m working on the backroom team and will let you know when there is news.”

His former Bournemouth assistants will either join him in his next job, stay where they are, or go elsewhere.  Eddie will take another job, with or without them.  This could be the reason proffered for the lack of a signature, but I’m not buying it.

There is also the dirty little subject.  Imagine for a moment the pressure inside every business unit at Celtic Park.  The finance team will have nervous twitches looking at statements and forecasts.  Those in the retail department will be battering their F5 keys and calling everyone in the business hoping for information.  Ticketing have their busiest two month’s work to cram into an ever-decreasing window.  The Foundation and the many who depend on it for support and assistance – jeez – they need our help more than anyone.  “Just.  Do.  It.” will be the message from every department head.

An entire enterprise is waiting on one statement to allow it to trade normally.  Do you really think Celtic are so chilled about money would sit on news that forgoes this cash?  Really?

You and I have seen a lot of the football business.  We know that if a talent is good enough, he is incentivised to keep his options open until the last possible moment.  This scenario, I buy.  Anyway, have a nice Thursday!