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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Twisty can you please give me that wee horse,s name again …I am going to each-way it ….modestly…thankyou….
ps getiing drunk yesterday was a braw idea ….might try it again the day ….braw..
we don,t just need Donner wir brauchen Blitz auch…hahahaha
go go UKIP …..making September a walk in the park….awfy braw
Saint Leo
13:36 on 23 May, 2014
McBhoy
13:34 on
23 May, 2014
Ah, sorry. Lurkin’ between workin’.
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
Aye its the curse of the drinkin classes.
His not Is
Savo01
PLEASE say you want Owen Coyle this time ; )
bournesouprecipe
13:15 on 23 May, 2014
Me tae, would donate my ST to a charity or something. Coyle is a step backward
LUNCHTIME QUIZ
The rumour mill is very amusing.
The last tip I heard was former NI asst. manager and Fulham reserve coach, Billy McKinlay.
Surely, we can top that.
I’ll go with a Mark Hateley & John Brown dream team
Hey that hun moyes now tainted by managing the red filth,said 4 years ago he would only return to this area to one club and it was not celtic,very boring teams he put on the park
Reply to previous post for ra’ morras Scoop6 races
Race 1 : 2:05 Haydock
Race 2 : 2:50 Catterick
Race 3 : 2:55 Goodwood
Race 4 : 3:10 Haydock
Race 5 : 3:25 Catterick
Race 6 : 3:45 Haydock
IGC
The answer is 500,
thats if the Q is how many names have been mentioned regarding the Celtic Job.
mullet
That’s a blight I’ve no intention of getting over.
Collins could have gone to a number of clubs in Europe but chose a diddy Monaco team whose average attendance is something akin to Hibs at best. He screwed us and knew he was doing it.
And if he was chocolate he’d eat himself.
Doc
I definitely don’t want Klopp, Ancelotti, Simeone or Guardiola ;-)
LUNCHTIME QUIZ (again)
Celtic manager elect (by me), David Moyes went to Man U from Everton where he spent 11 years.
(a) Which club did he move from to get the Everton gig?
and
(b) After guiding them to promotion from Division 2 in his first full year in charge, which side beat them in beat them in the play off final for a place in Neil Lennon’s coveted Premier League?
“The rules of the game are always the same.
No search engines please as you’re only cheating yourself”
setting free the bears supports Res. 12 & Oscar Knox
13:41 on 23 May, 2014
The rumour mill is very amusing.
The last tip I heard was former NI asst. manager and Fulham reserve coach, Billy McKinlay.
Surely, we can top that.
I’ll go with a Mark Hateley & John Brown dream team
—————————————————————–
Dream Team?! Stuff of nightmares more like!
JohnnyClash
I WANT OWEN COYLE!
Preston,
Hull.
Henrik now drifting in the betting. Paddy Power latest to have Coyle as favourite
savo01
13:46 on 23 May, 2014
No you don’t :-)
Johnny Clash
Am I right in thinking that old Glasgow School of Art is a Classic Mackintosh design. Be a shame to lose another of his buildings, and it wouldn’t be the first to go up in smoke in Glasgow.
Oscar Garcia would show imagination and thinking outside the box.
Highly thought of and an offer from Epl and Spain will happen sooner rather than later.
Montella for me would be my first choice but I think he is out of our reach now.
Laudrup, Koeman, Van Basten would generate interest and also capture the fans imagination. I think this appointment has to re vigour fans and get them pack the stadium again like under TB, Wim, JV abd MON.
Also think an exoerienced coach like Hoddle, Van Mar Wijk would bring the young team on.
Celtic gave nucleus off a good young team with a few more additions and right coach they could go far.
Oweny Oweny Oweny !!!!
Gary67
13:47 on 23 May, 2014
Henrik now drifting in the betting. Paddy Power latest to have Coyle as favourite
——————————————————————
Maybe the bookies are setting their prices based on the CQN Comments?
Savo01 has just caused a major shift is OC’s price!
I’ve never, ever heard Owen Coyle make an original or interesting comment on football.
IGC
Preston North End
Bolton Wanderers
………it’s all pointing one way for me….
….Boaby
………….. (Williamson).
Go get ‘im Pedro!
Mark Hateley says Lennon leaving is like a new signing.
Glasgow school of art – is it the original building or the new annexe thats on fire?
WGS
Yakin? Petrescu?
Both currently without clubs
Quincy Adams Wagstaff
13:50 on 23 May, 2014
Mark Hateley says Lennon leaving is like a new signing.
Glasgow school of art – is it the original building or the new annexe thats on fire?
————————————————
Charles Rennie Mackintosh building in Renfrew Street
Give Henrik another few years.
PFayr
Are you annoying me deliberately:o)
Ohhhhhhh Oweny Oweny
Why does Coyle have to say football club every time he mentions a team?
If he got the Ireland job he’d probably call them the Ireland Football Club!
Celtic Mac
Yip. Glasgow School of Art Mackintosh building in Renfrew Street.
IGC,
a) PNE.
b) Gillingham
HH.
Thanks Natknow – Hope everyone is ok and the building survives
EDB
Me ???
Oweny Oweny Oweny !!!!
Etims article? Load of rubbish I think. Johan’s departure is confirmation that change was afoot. Be stunned if the board were surprised by Lenny’s decision.
Etims have been wrong about just about everything for years now. And as for advocating Henrik because we shouldn’t be afraid of failure- let’s just ignore his poor track record- that makes no sense whatsoever.
What we need from any new Manager is a strong character who can put up with the pressures of the Glasgow environment, the need to win every game and the rubbish dished out by the Scottish media.
In addition, we must avoid a ‘football dreamer’ (Tony Mowbray) or someone who thinks they know how football should be played (Liam Brady / John Barnes), all three of the above had us playing lovely tip tap football in August and September , flooding forward at every opportunity , only for reality to set in beyond October when the entire team stop chasing back when we lose the ball , leaving the defence brutally exposed ……… arguments break out, start losing games , and downward spiral kicks in.
Given the above, I’d expect Jackie, Owen and Malky to fall into the above category, I have no idea about Henrik (never seen his team playing) , Moyes is the obvious candidate but he may consider this too much of a backwater.
If Roy Keane was picked (and I not saying that he should) then the press conferences would be entertaining and I could see more than just Uncle Hugh getting his jotters ….
Gary67,
Yes. Like cut of Yakin and I loved Petrescu as a player. Be able to tap into talent in Switzerland and Romania especially.