Two weeks ago it looked as though Roy Keane was set to be presented to the Celtic supporters as the Bhoys’ new manager.
However, after that move fell through, Eddie Howe has been at the height of Dermot Desmond’s agenda.
What’s the word?
The pendulum is swinging once again when it comes to uncovering the new manager of Celtic.
Howe had been the favourite over the last week but news emerged on Wednesday courtesy of his representatives that he wouldn’t be moving into a new job before the summer at the very earliest.
In a big twist to the tale, it was reported on the same day that the Hoops hierarchy have a new name they’d like to think that about; Lucien Favre.
Football Insider claim that Celtic are assessing the Swiss coach in case Howe rejects their offer.
Who would you prefer at Paradise?
Favre
Howe
Favre was reportedly interested in discussing the role with the Glaswegian side a few weeks ago but it wasn’t clear what their stance on the former Borussia Dortmund manager was.
Fresh information reveals they are indeed considering him, however.
Howe vs Favre
Howe’s managerial career has been a fairytale story so far. The 43-year-old took the Cherries from the brink of extinction in League Two to a team now full to the brim with Premier League television revenue.
His journey with the south-coast side is like something you’d see in a film, but it’s hard to ignore Favre’s exploits too.
Indeed, supporters should be drooling over the impact he could potentially have at Parkhead.
He may have been sacked from his role with Borussia Dortmund last December but his win rate is something to marvel at. During his stint in the Rhine, the 63-year-old won 61.82% of his matches.
That’s an eye-catching number for a manager who tasted defeat just 24 times in 110 games as manager.
Defensively well-organised, he also likes his teams to attack. Only Bayern Munich (100) scored more goals than Dortmund (84) in last season’s Bundesliga for instance.
As for Howe, the differences are night and day. He might be pragmatic on the training field but the fact of the matter is that he’s never recorded a win rate over the 50% mark.
He is, of course, still a young coach, but with Celtic going through a transition period the experience of Favre might be preferable.
Favre has also gone deep in continental competition, a further string to his bow that puts him above Howe on the pedestal.
With all that said, the twist that Favre is being assessed by the hierarchy should be music to the ears of supporters.
AND in other news, Left for £0, now worth £63m: Celtic will rue rash call on “unbelievable” £100k-p/w gem…