FORMER Borussia Dortmund boss Lucien Favre is the latest manager to be linked with the Celtic job.
The 63-year-old Swiss coach’s name has been added to an array of possibilities on the conveyor belt who are being mentioned to take over from Neil Lennon who departed the club last month.
Favre was fired by the German outfit in December after a string of disappointing domestic results which came to a head with a 5-1 thrashing by Stuttgart. They are currently fifth in the Bundesliga.
However, he guided the club into the Champions League knock-out stages after finishing top of their group. He has also had spells in charge of Hertha Berlin, Borussia Monchengladbach and Nice.
Favre has been mentioned as a successor to Rudi Garcia when he quits Lyon at the end of the season, according to a report on Mail online. However, Lille coach Christophe Galtier, who saw his team lose and draw with the Hoops in this season’s Europa League Group H, appears to be the frontrunner for the post.
Bayer Leverkusen are also said to be monitoring Favre’s movements as he joins the ever-expanding list of candidates for the Parkhead gaffer’s role.
BALL BHOY…John Kennedy takes charge before Celtic go into action.
Roy Keane, Eddie Howe, Enzo Maresca, Chris Wilder, Roberto Martinez, Thierry Henry and Scotland international chief Steve Clarke are among those who have also been put forward in a variety of outlets while interim manager John Kennedy prepares the holders for Saturday night’s Scottish Cup third round tie against League One leaders Falkirk at Parkhead.
With the potential for an automatic place in the Champions League for next season’s Premiership kings, Martin O’Neill believes the club are right to take their time in their search for a replacement. Backing his former Republic of Ireland and Nottingham Forest No.2 Keane for the role, the former Hoops boss told BBC Sportsound: “They may have three or four options of which they want to go down.
“Next season is really big because it’s automatic qualification for the Champions League.
“That’s a massive extra prize. It’s the £30million. Maybe it bolsters the argument that Celtic are taking their time – that whoever’s in there is able and capable of facing Rangers in the big contest.
“Roy Keane’s got the personality, for a start. A massive player, iconic figure in the game. He’s very strong-willed. But he’s also got the capacity to motivate players. Roy’s learned a great deal over the years.
“Dermot’s a strong-willed man himself. He’ll know what is necessary.
“There is still the possibility of the Scottish Cup and let’s see how John Kennedy performs.
“If Celtic go and clinch the Cup, he must give himself a chance to do the job.”
