How well do we handle succession? Mostly very well. Back in the 90s Celtic stumbled from one manager to another, picking up whoever was available and prepared to pick up the inevitable poisoned chalice, without any perceivable strategy.
Wim Jansen came from nowhere, or Japan, to be geographically accurate, and was a success, but despite a legendary respect for Fergus McCann, this appointment looked like a stab in the dark. After Wim left, we had the seminal reign of John Barnes. Millions were spent, and wasted, before King Kenny held fort for the final few months of season 1999-2000.
The changes introduced by Martin O’Neill are still being felt. We had been rubbish for decades in Europe, hadn’t knocked out a team from the ‘big five leagues’ since Leeds United in 1970. We were conditioned to expect and accept defeat, but after Martin, the world would never be the same again.
Martin’s strategy was not without its flaws, for a start, it wasn’t sustainable. Celtic lost millions every season, despite competing in Champions League football for the first time, and the momentous matter………. Seville.
Gordon Strachan came with a remit to change the problems the club faced immediately before his arrival – bring spending down to meet income, win the league and make progress in the Champions League. Despite starting with one of the worst weeks in the clubs history, Gordon delivered.
There was a problem, though. A disconnect opened up that first week when Artmedia smacked five goals past David Marshall, which was never fully resolved. When we went back into the market, fixing this disconnect was high on the agenda. Who better than a popular former player who ‘invented’ the Celtic huddle.
Tony Mowbray ticked the boxes which Gordon Strachan showed little appetite for but he was miles off plan for Celtic. The first week in the job he asked to sign Marc-Antoine Fortune for close to £4m. I’m sure the proposition was a bolt out of the blue to the club. Expensive 28-year-old strikers with a low- scoring record was not on strategy. Having appointed Mowbray, the club had little choice but to back his maiden request, but I bet there was a raft of people at Lennoxtown who knew how this chapter in our story would end.
Neil Lennon was working as a coach at Celtic during the Mowbray era. He was close to the scouts, sports science people, fitness experts and chief executive. In other words, he was on plan. After the John Barnes ‘tried and tested rookie manager’ strategy, I didn’t want Neil, or any other debutant, but he was intelligent, tactically aware and experienced inside the Celtic system. Within no time, Neil was making headlines as a Champions League manager. The shine will quite rightly never fade from Martin’s halo, but I could make a case that Neil Lennon has been our best manager since the guy from Burnbank.
Notice the pattern?
We have a habit of appointing a manager to address the perceived deficiencies of the previous incumbent. Right now, the need for someone to connect with fans will be less pronounced than it was when Gordon Strachan left, the need for someone to work within budget is fundamental, but will not stress anyone.
Neil’s most glaring faults are a whole lot less glaring than any of his predecessors. This time, we should be looking for someone just like the previous guy:
A student of the game, who understands the tactical trends in the world game.
Intelligent.
On plan with club scouts, nutritionists, sports scientists, coaches, player trading policy and budget.
Order your SIGNED copy of Tommy Gemmell’s All the best from the (fabulous new) CQN Bookstore.
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Roy Keane. He has to be favourite. A pal of DD. Premiership managerial experience. Available. Celtic Minded. MON’s assistant. The signs are all there.
Does anyone else think that if Lenny lands himself a decent job in Englandshire that a few Celtic players will be on his shopping list, if they are still available post WC?
Big Fraser, Van Dijk, Kris Commons. He knows how much the board would accept. 15mill would buy those 3 with change to spare, nothing for an EPL club but the spine of our team gone.
Somehow I don’t think that either, Amido or Timo would feature high on NFL’s shopping list. Strange that
GM-Well it is Friday i suppose :}
Kojo
Aye lived there for 10 years from 1988 to 1998 loved the place great for nipping out for a pint at the Genie the Georgic the Granary.
Wife loved it for shopping had to move because the family got bigger we still miss it we had a good time there
You could safely say it has been yuppified since your days there. Not as great for kids as it used to be imo most of the neighbours were single or retired and did not like noisy young uns
Noisy kids eh what other type is there
HH
Desertbhoy
Always had you down as a good yin. Your gastro-lingo simply confirms your coolness in the heat!
:-)
HH jamesgang
Rock Tree Bhoy-Would Keane accept an accountant,and a Chief Scout with a patchy record buying players for him?
I reckon Lawwell and Celtic board get a lot of criticism for nothing. I see posts today and yesterday about how he us this and Celtic board are that for letting Neil leave.
Ain’t saying they are angels but if manager decides he wants to manage down south and trysto make it known, then how can that be there fault.
Must be a ger thing. Think Stevie Clark would be a great appointment and would love to see the KoK involved in some capacity hopefully as a prelude to a bigger role at some time in the future. Like many my reservations about Henrik revolve around what would happen should it all go pear shaped.
Love the man to bits and do not what my hero worship to be tainted in any way, shape or form. As he proved (despite what those in Engurland and the SMSM were saying) he could have played for any team in any country and brought the same quality to it. He stuck by us when latterly people who would not be fit to lace his bootlaces are tripping over themselves searching for an exit strategy.
HH to the KoK.
weeminger
A bit of financial compo and both parties are happy
Dontbrattbakkinanger 17:01 on 23 May, 2014
Ken C is Vice Chancellor at the Uni.
Met Stan K at Garscube last week. My youngest is a Specialist Registrar in his Department at the Marsden.
Tontine tim we played against His team, West of Scotland in Sat morning league. Found him a decent guy committed to football. C
El Diegeo,
I have had to put up with your rubbish over the years as well.
Had to put up with it. Grow a set and deal with it !! All about opinions
Thindimebhoy
17:13 on
23 May, 2014
Given HL’s record at Falkenberg his Director of Football might be happy to get shot of him.
Frank Ryan’s Whisky
at 17,09
Pal.. Ah know that Ah am In the Minoriy ..in THIS..
Ah Luv.. Big Amido..Ah think that He is A Lad well worth us Taking the Time tae Perseve Wi’… He Shows. ME… That He kin Be a
Force tae Reckon wi.. when he Smooths His Wrinkles oot.. n.. He wull.. If we Jist show a wee bit Patience..
n…
Also..
Ah Luv… Pukki.. A Loater!
He is takin time tae Settle..
But .. Again ..if we show him a wee bit mair encouragement.. He Wull Settle..
n.. When he Diz..
Weill… A am confident that Ma Faith in his Ability wulll be well Vindicated…
Nice chatting,Pal.As Alwiz..
Kojo
Still Laughin
cathach 17:15 on 23 May, 2014
Kelvin Star and Gallardia Rule! OK!
Whoever Celtic appoint as manager will surely win the league for the next few years, so from a domestic football perspective, it must be the lowest risk appointment ever. Getting through the CL qualifiers is obviously the difficult part, then park the bus for four of six games in the CL group stages. The no challenge for Celtic quip is nonsense as we are under achieving in Europe in comparison to some teams with a smaller budget.
Kojo,
If a rookie again like u suggested earlier, will a experienced person be beside him ?
Bada,
Sorry neebs. Couldn’t resist.
No idea why he left. Cracking player on his day though.
The Celtic Track Suit doesnt shrink to fit inferior managers.
Kev jungle @ 4.58
Good to read your thoughts mhate.
Clever people worry.
Clever observation Paul
HH jamesgang
Et tu Henke?? :-(
Bigyinmilan- it would be good to catch up again next season.
WGS
Lots of good people have happily put up with my rubbish since the day I was born.
And they still love me.
Keep your hat on and improve your grammar and spelling and I’ll maybe think kindly of you.
P.S.
Please stop posting names of players/managers who anyone in the real world has no knowledge of..
Love.
ziggydoc
“we are under achieving in Europe in comparison to some teams with a smaller budget.”
You need two things to progress.
Money is one.
A competitive playing environment to hone your skills is the other.
Which team, with a lower budget and from a similar uncompetitive league, is doing better than us?
WGS
You Are Correct,pal…
Neil, hid made up his Mind that he wanted oot.. n.. That’s Awe she Wrote!
Ah know Ah shoulda.. Say this. Fur it is .. whit we used tae Call..
“Gallopin” Speculation”… But..
Ah wull Say it.. Anywey..
An reckon that Neil. left us.. Because, He couldna take the Strain of Managing A Team Such as Celtic.. which was Alwiz in the Public Limelight.. NO Maitter Whit…
n.. Pointedly…
Neil, offers that He Diz NOT hiv anither Joab lined Up….
n.. Furthermore…
Neil,has Admitted that He Suffers from..
DEPRESSION…
so.. Well.. Ah guess that is Awe that Ah should Say aboot this..
Nice Chatting, Pal…
Kojo
Still, Laughin’
Kojo
Many moons ago I worked in the Corona Bar at the corner of Pollokshaws Road and Langside Road. Maybe you supped in there.
HH
Used to work with a guy that applied for every managers job in Britain when a vacancy arose
He would show us the very polite replies on the clubs headed notepaper
This guy knew nothing about football
He’s a shoe in for fat sals job
HH
Dontbrattbakkinanger 17:23 on 23 May, 2014
Where are you now? if Glasgow, let’s fix up something. I will be there twice in each of June, July and August.
Special talents and personality are needed to be a successful Celtic manager.
Of course he needs to be a good coach and motivator etc. But Celtic is different from every other club in so much as the new man will be under pressure from the hun media from the moment he signs up. They will work tirelessly day on day to undermine and demoralise and break him. To be able to handle this requires a strong astute person who wont be phased by the lapdogs and the powers of darkness that he will find pitted against him.
El Diego,
If you where a Journalist you would no these names. :)
Predictive text a bugger
From previous blog
singapore celt
09:47 on
23 May, 2014
Whatever happened to the supporter liaison officer or whatever stupid title he was given?
I do think the bored are bang out of order and a press conference is the least we can expect!!!!
SPC
==========================
Signapore Celt.
There is a Supporters Forum, meeting on 9th June. If you make your question clear it will be passed on. Can you head it Supporters Forum and then frame it?
I got the impression it was in relation to the idea that the reason for Lennys departure was a cut back or on his budget and what that says about Celtic’s vsion for the club.
It does seem odd to me that with the prospect of rising CL money coming in the aim would be to budget for its absence, especially when that absence can be covered by a big money sale.
Perhaps a question for Celtic to articulate their vision for the next 5 years? Anyone?
Kojo. Good evening to you fella like you I dont think Lennie felt he could handle the pressure of the Celtic job and the effect it was having on his family any longer.Depression is a terrible illness and can drain confidence I wish Neil and his family all the best for the future wherever it takes them. H.H.
Hope Henke does not get the job. He is my all time favourite player, just couldn’t bear to see him getting slagged off on CQN cos that’s exactly what would happen. Preserve the Legend.
20 to 6 on a Friday night and still no announcement, disgraceful neglect by PL, sack him.
And the bored.
Guys like Murat Yakin at Basel and a few others have had a similar budget to what Celtic are offering if not less and look at the success they have had.
Yeah money dies help but not all the time and guys like them restore your faith in football.
Take Atletico this year, brilliant. No much spent in comparison to Barca and Real and won league
weet weet weet(gbwo)
17:26 on 23 May, 2014
Used to work with a guy that applied for every managers job in Britain when a vacancy arose
He would show us the very polite replies on the clubs headed notepaper
This guy knew nothing about football
He’s a shoe in for fat sals job
HH
——————————-
I think you are too kind.
It WAS Fat Sally wasn’t it?
And yes, I will keep posting that nonsense until Pistol Pete gets his finger oot!
Might get others who mean it seriously to stop and think.
Quick or right?