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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ElDiegoBhoy
——–
Moyes has an archaic outlook on football and his training methods are meant to be shocking in modern football terms. I don’t think he’d change his playing style with Celtic though I do think he’d be the best choice to compete in the CL.
EDB
Worked with Davie Moyes Snr…he was also a scout for deid club and met Davie Jnr a few times…big Celtic fan and always spoke highly of us in private. No problem for me him managing us.
Kikinthenakas
If Coyle gets it, Lawwell will not survive. Apathy towards him is massive
Houston?
…we have a problem!
I’m not a cheer leader for Davy Moyes but his track record is the best of the lot and he has us close to his heart………….We have NO chance of him though, our new manager will be well off the radar and will accept the austerity plan.
theoriginalsadiesbhoy
How ye doin? My phone broke down. Got a new one and kept the same number but have lost all contacts and texts. Be so kind as to send me a wee text so that I can save your number. Wouldn’t want to miss a curry. ;-)
bigyinmilan- I was talking to Zbyszek at CQTen.
I think in a previous life we may have conversed, albeit briefly.
From the clues Zbyszek gave me I think you may have left Glasgow to do some epidemiological clever cloggery in Lyon.
[ Apologies is this is the kind of ill founded lazily researched speculative mince the ole internet thrives on ]
The stripped down truth is this as far as I’m concerned – any potential next manager when interviewed, would need to be asked how he or she (In honour of a previous scout) intends to better the achievements of the last manager? Anyone without a plan to do better than that should not even apply.
Bit whit about the munny hunny???
hashtagrealitycheck
bankie
I stuck a bet on yesterday that Houston would get the job, only got 100/1, stuck a saver on Coyle.
Thinking like PL and not outside the box >}
HH
Clink\o/
14:03 on 23 May, 2014
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.
—–
Hi, Keane always struck me as a fearsome sort of character , although I have not followed the nuances of his behaviour …….
Big Mick, loved the game where he decked Crawford Baptie, although even as a lad Crawford was pretty stationary on the park! I do think big Mick’s star has been on the wane for a while now and would not be considered
HH
TET- And his Sevco supporting pal Sandy Stewart as Asst Manager…..
I hope I lose my money BTW !!!!
Personally I would go foreign.
HH
Bada B
I just have a bad gut feeling about this appointment.
There will be hundreds of quality managers out there that would give their eye teeth to manage us, sadly I have no faith we will get one of them.
HH
TET- I put a saver on Coyle after my mate seen a female family member of OC,put £40 @ 12/1……….i know this happened the last time…
Gordon J
Glen and David Icke were pals. :o)
HH
Has Keane been sacked as club manager more often than not?
Not for me although I’ve probably got more reason’s than most for wanting him in.
Radio Shortbread says Larsson has told his Director of Football ,he has knocked back an approach from an unnamed club and is staying where he is.
Sir Paul
Wonderful Synop.. pal..
Ye ur getting Bettah , wi Age!
How auld ur Ye… Noo.. ?
The Big 50? Sure… Ye must be ,at least Knockin, at That Door.
Anyway..
Ah am Proud tae Hiv Met Ye..
Ye ur a Smasher!
Noo.. efunff… o’ The Schmoozin’… Eh?
Now. Back tae Maverick…
If Ah am a Judge of Mr. Demetrius.. An Ah think that Ah am…
Look oot fur the Next Managerial ( Great Word… ed) Appointment at Celtic oan the Clyde..
wull be a
ROOKIE.
n… Why No? .. the Last wan , who is noo Anklin oot the Big Green Door..
Wiz a Bang – Up Success.. So He wiz..
So..
Never a guy the Look too closely,in a gift Horse’s Mooth..
Mr. Demetrius, will gie his Recommendo tae Mr. Pierre n the Bhoys..
“Bring me the Intelligent Heid of a Rookie”
It wull Be Done.. Master..
So…
Who Wull that Rookie Be..?
Ah Dunno!
Howevahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh…..
Ah know He Wullnae be.. n..
That’s .. A Guy ..
Who is NO A ROOKIE!
Maks Sense.. tae Me.
Like Ah said..
“It’s Awe Aboot . the Money.. Honey!”
Kojo
Back tae… Still Laughin’..(Again!)
Etims can be fun but their logic is sadly lacking -if it isn’t then CFC must be the best employers in the world!
Imagine you have just announced that you are walking out of your job right away -your employer now stands to lose up to £20M and what does he do? – he takes you on a jolly to the CL cup final with VIP tickets and invites to the best parties on the go!
If Lenny had caused all this panic -then the last thing you would do would be to take him to Lisbon -more likely you would tell him to take a hike!
Personally reading all the names and suggestions I’m coming round to what some out there call the Nuclear Option!
Roy Keane with Dennis O’Brien and DD to bankroll him to the tune of £20M!
HH
…….TET
If either characters make the cut all bets are off for this dim tim……..
HH.
BadaB
I hope you lose your money as well >}
HH
The Day the Earth Stood Still about to start on Film4
Henke will get bums on seats – no problem.
But will he keep them there…
Both GS and NFL did the former but constraints meant that they couldn’t do the latter.
Gordon Strachan’s four year shelf life comment is maybe not too far off mark.
HH
Bankie
And this one.
HH
Moyes Trophy “Haul”..
Div 2 Champions. Preston.
Community Sheild. Man Utd.
21 years a manager.
TET-Me too :} but you know a tip’s a tip.
doctor whatfor
I’ve sent you a text.
!!bada bing!!
15:05 on 23 May, 2014
Radio Shortbread says Larsson has told his Director of Football ,he has knocked back an approach from an unnamed club and is staying where he is.
Henrik Knocks Back Celtic – DR headline sorted for tomorrow
Coyle must go.
Let’s be proactive fholks.
Snake Plissken
09:58 on
23 May, 2014
Monaghan1900
In fairness Souness was booed in his first match against Hibs because he booted a Hibs player and was sent off.
*he was also a jambo
Henrik would be a risk but then so was Neil when he was appointed,if it is Coyle then there will be a lot of unhappy bhoys, me included.
TET
I think the world of you but really you have a bad feeling about everything to do with the club.
Lots on here were either unsure of Lenny or downright opposed to his appointment.
Look where the Lenny journey took us to.
Now many are decrying possible appointments that AINT GONNAE HAPPEN.
That’s the way of a blog and long may it continue.
Latest on Glasgow Art School said that internally it’s mostly smoke damage. Sincerely hope that’s correct
I’ve got the answer bhoys and ghirls.
You remember how Sami’s contract as a player wasn’t renewed … well I can exclusively reveal that he is about to do a Giggsy. (No, not sleep with a relation’s wife).
Say hello to our new player/ manager!
TOSB
…….count me an’ ma pitchfork – in….
Oweny, Oweny Oweny….
Out, Out Out!!!
bob loblaw
09:57 on 23 May, 2014
twists n turns
09:12 on 23 May, 2014
Awe Naw, Ernie, neganon
All posted within 3 minutes of each other. Probably regarded on here as 3 of the most outspoken, vociferous anti board posters on CQN.
For me, 3 of the biggest Celtic supporters who frequent this board, and who have the best interests of the future of Celtic fc at heart.
It just goes to show how the same thing can be perceived differently by different people. In my opinion, and based on only relentlessly negative comments these three post, the only aspect in which these three are not huns is the football team they claim to support.
One of them, and I have no intention of being any more specific than that, posted something on here in around 2007/08 that unintentionally made me aware of who he is in real life. In that knowledge I am aware that the anti establishment position taken in his words here, the supposed anti PLC stance, is the absolute opposite of who this person actually is.
I will not elaborate any more on that, I have no wish to or interest in exposing anything about this person. Who they really are and the persona they wish to project on here are entirely their business. I make the point only to point out the hypocrisy that exists in his posts.
Good luck to Neil Lennon in what ever he chooses to do in his life going forward, and I wish him and his family every happiness.
Back to lurking.
########################
One of the most intriguing posts I’ve read on CQN.
I know you said you wouldn’t name the person but can you give some sort of reason why he is doing what he’s doing?
In your opinion Bob
Hail Hail
McBhoy
Ye know that Ah am a Fan o’ ..
Jackie Mac..
Noo.. Paul Hartley..is a Winner tae..
Eethur Wan of these Rookies.. in Ma Opinion… wid Dae the Joab.
Noo ,thur Probably is a Few ither.. Rookie Managers whom Ah wid think wid be Capable of Daeing the Joab ,as well..
But, Ah am a Self- Confessed Homer..
Ah want Anither..
Big, Big, Celtic Man.. fur the Joab..
Canny help it..
Ah Am Like that.. Prejudiced as Hell.. in that Respect..
Ah plead wi the Powers that Be…
“Guys.. The Next Celtic Manager Must be .. a Dyed in the Simmit…
Celtic , Celtic, Celtic..Man…. Thru n Thru!”
Nice Chatting,,, pal ,as usual.
Kojo
Still Laughin’
The Lions touch down in Lisbon
Celtic Football Club@celticfc·4 mins
And there is soon a clamour from the Portuguese media for a team snap with the silverware. #TheLionsReturn #UCL (MH)
pic.twitter.com/KRQml4Q6bo