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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NegAnon2 – 11:02
“What have we become?”
“Ask not what your football club has become, ask what you have become.” JFK
timomouse
Interesting link.
What it does not say is that DM is currently unemployed. ( I don’t think )
Yes he would not come cheap, but how much would we pay in compensation to Dundee Utd to prise their manager away.
HH.
Wanyama, outstanding player that he is, doesn’t represent half a team.
Biton is a straight replacement, and looks like a better footballer but less powerful holding midfielder. We’ll see how he gets on as he matures.
Hooper was a Ronseal striker, fair play to him. Exceeded expectations in the SPL but didn’t have the game to perform in Europe. How much is he worth this summer?
Griffiths is a more talented player, if a somewhat errant personality.
Looking ahead:
Forster of course will be sold, whether this summer or next, and there is nothing we can do about that other than hold out for the best offer. As with Wanyama, when Celtic develop a player of outstanding ability, his stay with us is finite. It was always thus: cf Hay, Dalglish, Nicholas, McClair etc etc albeit these days we aren’t able to hold onto them as long. Perhaps footballers hit their performance peak a little earlier now?
They come. They go.
Gold Coast Tom@02:32
Don’t you just hate Country-n-Western song lyrics?
I’ve been having an argument with the wrong guy from Australia.
Where would you get intelligent lyrics outwith of a C&W song?
It’s the last bastion of metaphysical poetry, so it is.
regarding the king of kings becoming the celtic manager
when the other king, king kenny came back i had very high hopes but unfortunately he kind of ruined his memory as a true celtic legend
i would like the same for henrik
I must say I am not overly keen on any of the candidates so far mentioned. Lets be honest almost any manager would win the the league with our current squad. What I want is someone who has a track record in european football and who would bring that experience and tactical nous to us.
I might add I havent got a clue who that would be
john Collins lost the dressing room at hibs because he was a tit and self obsessed, not one player had anything positive to say about him (always different story in public of course)
hell no!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tommy book also delivered with a special request
He wants to come to the Cowiebhoy bar at next years do :-)
Thanks CQN
No long back in and passed some low life walking along with some silly neck decorations
What is it with women (wife’s) told me I was a bigot when I invited them to step onto road and see of I stopped
Any lawyers aboot, can in claimant refund on my council tax for the cost of funding that sectarian mob ?
Hail Hail
How about a Derby loss to QPR and Steve McLaren getting the tin tack? He’s got Euro credentials and always seems a cheery sort.
I’m Neil Lennon
You mean “wouldn’t”, right?
Nice
Daughter just dropped me a nice wee photo at Bannockburn Bruce Monument, someone set fire to some of their regalia
stephbhoy
13:16 on 24 May, 2014
Naively I did not realise the point you raised regarding disabled supporters is such a problem.
I’m sure there are 100 different issues each and every supporter will want to voice. we should try to create a facility to ensure of concerns are understood and hopefully undertaken by our board, sadly as nice as he is a SLO is not adequate.
CQN is the ideal starting point for addressing issues and organise within to ensure our club flourishes in years to come.
HH
Why do the conservative fiscal brigade only see two possibilities for the future ?
Make money or die, theres always a third option, make a bit less money and entertain, would be my preference.
Why is investing in the team a suitable sacrifice ? Apparently one of the few suitable sacrifices ?
Another suitable sacrifice would be no living wage.
I’m no overly impressed by competent display, what impresses me is flair on and off the park, I’ve no seen much of that from the club for a long time, Chris Sutton backhanding Beckham to be exact :o)
All energy appears to have been focused in reducing expectation and sanitising the support since then. Conformity is the mantra and dissent has been met with vilification, not the, open to all, propaganda we are fed.
Its painful
CowieBhoy, send me that photo please.
Will you be in in an hour?
TBB
Biton looks decent but with very limited game time (Kayal looked great at first)….Wanyama was a colussus…no comparison
Hooper was the best scorer we have had for a while and we replaced him with a couple of cheapies instead of pushing the envelope….(he chose badly with Norwich and had an injury but I would still have him ahead of stokes, pukki, griffiths & balde.)
Youre right some players you cant hold on to but instead of banking the profits at some point we must be brave and be willing to run a little bit of debt to build and retain a team.
new article posted.
I just read the dedication made by Tommy Gemmell in the book copy I received this morning.
I am mightily chuffed and humbled at the same time ya big charming Liar ye! :-)
Oh Aye! Nearly Forgot.
Read the book and have a great laugh!
fanadpatriot
21:24 on 23 May, 2014
Supersutton19.39
Had no intention of joining in the debate of Lenny’s successor ,but Klinsman!!,do you know of this mans opinions.I would never enter Celtic Park again if this person became involved with Celtic,and I would organise a fans protest if it would ever happen,but I know it will never be.
———-
No I didn’t, but have now read your reply. Does that mean we shouldn’t sign players or managers who wouldn’t attend an audience with the Pope? And I thought we were all inclusive.
Anyway, Klinsman was an example I used of one manager who may be without a job after the World Cup. Stated I had limited knowledge of any other national managers but assume some of them are vey good even if their national team don’t win the World Cup.
Might just be worth holding on until we see which managers become available.
tinytim
09:41 on 24 May, 2014
Petec. Delaneys Dunky and everyone else.
I love a game of pool.
—————-
I’m up for that.
Anyone know if you can still get itv hd via sky? I have it as an other channel but it no longer works?
Just received the Tommy Gemmell book, signed by tommy to my good friend who is retiring.
This might sound a bit sad… I know he will burst Into tears when I give him it…that’s the Celtic way, it’s in the heart.
Winning captains… A big thank you from me. HH
Madmitch 12.27.
I agree with your post.
CL qualification brings in more cash and we should be putting some of that cash away for a rainy day.
What we should not do is spend every penny with gay abandon .
TT
Ernie Lynch
I don’t want the Hun back , but it us a fact that a team with a Hun horde following will be our biggest domestic competitors soon enough.
TT
Sipsini 13.49
Get my email from Paul 67
I haven’t noticed any other replies , but I’m sure we can generate a bit of interest if we keep at it.
Where are you based ?
TT
Horses For Courses…
It’s Got To Be Owenie..
He Is Older,And Wiser Than He Was…
Following His Experiences In England…
He Has The Gravitas,Which Will Only Grow….
When He Takes The Helm..
At Paradise Park….
He Can Surely Moderate His Tendency To ‘Garrulousity’…
Just As WGS Did…..
After Managing Coventry And S’oton…
He’ll Concentrate On Bringing Through Our Youth From The Ranks…
And Target The Best Of Young Talent At Other Scottish Clubs…
Forget All These Foreign Projects And Misfits…
Scottish Players For A Proud Scottish Club….
Tony Watt To Lead Our New Quality Street Lions..
Dare To Believe..!!
Supporters Forum
Given the importance of CL Group Stage Qualification for both Plc finances and fan interest does the Board recognise the damaging impact of the combination of a new management team and the absence of the Celtic Park factor in qualifying matches?
Will they unlike last season guarantee that the sale of key players will not be sanctioned or contemplated until the outcome of group stage qualification has been settled?
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