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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theoriginalsadiesbhoy
Are you lurking?
Quincy Adams Wagstaff
13:52 on 23 May, 2014
Thanks Natknow – Hope everyone is ok and the building survives
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Hope so too
What’s Jimmy Calderwood up to these days?
There are many buildings in Glasgow I’d happily see burn down. That one is absolutely not one of them.
Heartbreaking.
Stuart Baxter.
I’ve always been a fan of Paulo Sousa. While’s he’s been a bit hit and miss in England a lot of that was down to bad luck and timing I think. He’s got some European experience and just won the League in Israel. Hardly La Liga I know but seeing as we’ve shopping a lot there Pedro may like the link!
Gordon_J backing Neil Lennon
13:53 on
23 May, 2014
What’s Jimmy Calderwood up to these days
————————————————
Bang on Gordon J!!!
Posted yesterday, Parkhead Cross is awash with sunbed shops!
There’s yer dinner : )
Gordon_J
………..he’s waiting by the phone………….for………..BOABY.
Aye!
***Today’s lucky winner is Gary67****
Well done.
McBhoy and Green pinata, close but no cigar this time.
Hope your luck changes soon in the LUNCHTIME QUIZ…….
Cue theme music, roll credits…
What about one of Scotlands Managers of the Year tis last few seasons?
MWD says Aye
ItaliaBhoy
13:54 on
23 May, 2014
One of them being Ipox
When you think about it
Lenny the hun slayer
Failed to meet the boards expectations, bet they’re sick they never got a transfer fee
It’s great to see Stuart Baxter being mentioned. Really missed hearing how his career has gone.
A big thank you to NFL for inspiring so much hilarity on the blog this past 30 or so hours!
Savo01, good post:-)
T’nT
Where and when is Genny Wren running? Sitting by the pool in Santa Ponsa, and about to go visit the Jaggy to put a wee bet on!
As usual, I have to apologise for backing it, as they invariably, dont win!!
Cheers
HH
Durranty saying NL got sacked ‘cos he never beat the huns for 2 years!!
HH
School af Art, old building well and truly ablaze.
I saw the news breaking on the BBC (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-27541883) and – since I’m based nearby – I walked round to have a look.
Streets are cordoned off within a couple of blocks, but could clearly see flames leaping from the north façade, on to Renfrew Street, where it looked like only one hose was being trained on the building. (There are reported to be 4 tenders in attendance and another was arriving as I left the vicinity; doubtless those crews are engaged at other parts of the building. That said, in the short time I observed the Renfrew Street side of the premises, the flames were spreading and getting worse.)
Having apparently started in the basement, the fire has spread very rapidly …
FF
Would love to see Glen Hoddle as Celtic Manager – fantastic coach.
Has often voiced his admiration of our club.
HH
Ekbhoy
Keane wouldnt have the cahones to stand up to anyone.
How about big Mick Mc Carthy.
Was an uncompromising footballer but as manager his teams always tried to play
football.
The SMSM would be a piece of cake to him. Yet another Yorkshire accent would drive them nuts.
SSN can’t even get basic facts correct FFS!
NFL Profile says he is the 3rd manager to win 3 in-a-row.
Lazy poor journalism, or just a Hun.
Aw naw, please don’t Celtic
Please don’t Henrik…
http://sport.stv.tv/football/clubs/celtic/276363-henrik-larsson-contacted-by-club-over-managers-job-say-falkenberg/
#stayalegend
Stevie Clark with John Kennedy moved up to learn the ropes from a good pro with a decent track record.
Jonny the Tim
14:01 on
23 May, 2014
T’nT
Where and when is Genny Wren running? Sitting by the pool in Santa Ponsa, and about to go visit the Jaggy to put a wee bet on!
As usual, I have to apologise for backing it, as they invariably, dont win!!
Cheers
HH
………………………….
just looked back ….she is running at Worcester….TTT will be updating after his run on …..
braw
Depressing.
I went on the art school tour a few months back. A totally unique building that you could never replace. Most of it was hand crafted in a nod to the arts and craft movement. Every design on every neighbouring beam unique. The world never Mind Glasgow has lost a gem.
My friends in Celtic,
As we debate our potential managerial possibilities, the richest game of football takes place tomorrow. Derby v QPR.
None of these two teams comes close to equal our size, potential, infrastructure, status, TV appeal or fan base.
But they will outbid us for any player or even take our existing players with impunity.
Football has changed out of all recognition due to global TV.
We must embrace change and trust to market forces.
The status quo is selling our club, our team and us the supporters short.
Jonny
7 50 tonight.
Towcester
Off oot.
NFL built three different teams……..and had them sold from under his feet.
NFL destroyed a full strength, debt laden and bloated Orc team.
The Great Desmondo and his wingman will find a replacement based o their money ball principles.
The proof of course will be in the SB uptake but I do not anticipate it being more than enough to fill the lower tiers around the stadium.
If SPFL success is a given and the bench mark for success is CL Group qualification and occasional last 16 placings then the new manager will not get anywhere with the current business model which sells emerging talent at every opportunity.
Unless we get lucky with an amazing crop of youngsters who cost so little to keep and grow in value every season sans Man U and Ferguson…..then we are going nowhere as a football success IMO.
Peter Lawell’s final salary depends to a large extent on financial performance bonuses….he has a vested interest in selling as quickly as he can for as much as he can……it may as well be cars or cattle…..
Its not a criticism just an observation…….it is what it is.
On a more positive note I would offer NONE of the EPL failures the position or HL for that matter.
A highly successful, semi retired serious European/South American manger on a fixed 2 year contract with MacNamara and Kennedy as his assistants to then take up the reins after he has gone is the obvious answer really.
We could always try and get Slaven Bilic (again) if he will come…….
Just an opinion……
Johnny Clash
Shocking news. They are reporting that the fire stared in the basement, and the pictures I’ve seen show flames coming out of the roof. That suggests major damage.
onlymallony
14:03 on 23 May, 2014
Would love to see Glen Hoddle as Celtic Manager – fantastic coach.
Has often voiced his admiration of our club.
HH
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What, the guy who implied that disabled people were disabled because they didn’t believe in god? Do you think his “faith healer”, Eileen Drewery would be able to help fix Derk?
THM, it’s a beautiful building, good to hear no one was hurt, but the building is a loss, even part of it. Rennie MacIntosh design I think.
oops …..
greendreamz
Check the Celtic website for Season Tickets. Almost all areas are limited availability or sold out. Lazy comment.
LB
Cheers Braw, and T’nT!
Home tomorrow, so wont be able to collect winnings, (ha!), so will give it a miss.
HH
ernie lynch
09:54 on 23 May, 2014
archdeaconsbench
09:46 on 23 May, 2014
‘Don’t what the story is wi this boy, but the more I hear about him, the further down in my estimation he goes…….’
###
If a Celtic player made that decision would we not be praising him for putting the club before a meaningless international?
I agree entirely
I done an inspection on the School of Art building a couple of years ago,timber from top to bottom,with loads of paints etc.Shame ,most of it is irreplaceable.
Art School Mac Building destroyed. So sad.
therrs THAT fax burlin’ again………………………..
…hows about the dark hoarse pairin’ o’ dick Campbell and the boul’ Boaby?
Dick’N’ Boaby = Dream Team.
Sorted.
* darwinsbeautifulidea
13:41 on 23 May, 2014
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
************””’*****
About two years ago, I watched Davie Moyes on Goals on Sunday and he said that one day he would return to Scotland and would be happy to manage either Celtic or Rangers.
During the programme they talked about Wayne Rooney who Moyes had at Everton as a 16 year old. Moyes said the only other time he could remember a similar mass hysteria about a young player was when Charlie Nicholas broke through at Celtic. He spoke very highly of Celtic throughout the programme.