With Neil Lennon no longer in charge of Celtic, the club’s hierarchy are on the lookout for a new boss. Whoever is deemed suitable to try and re-energise life at Parkhead may well have their work cut out.
As many as 12 players could leave this summer while they will be expected to work with a completely new structure. The Hoops are on the search for a director of football too, while Dominic McKay is set to replace Peter Lawwell as their new CEO.
With that in mind, trying to decide who should be the next manager could be a messy affair. It’s recently been reported that Martin O’Neill has been contacted in order to get his perspective on who the new boss should be.
The likes of Roberto Martinez, Steve Clarke, Rafa Benitez and Frank Lampard have all been mentioned but the freshest name doing the rounds must be at the top of their shopping list.
That happens to be David Moyes. GIVEMESPORT reported this week that he has been sounded out as Lennon’s potential successor.
Do you want Moyes at Celtic?
Yes please!
No thanks!
Moyes is out of contract with West Ham in the summer, a situation made all the more perplexing by their current rank of fifth in the Premier League. They are two points off the Champions League spots and have a game in hand over fourth-placed Chelsea.
This has been an incredible season for the Hammers with Moyes breathing fresh life into what was a tired and bedraggled club.
The Irons were on the verge of being relegated last season but are now close to securing European football. Indeed, it would now be a disappointment if they didn’t see it through.
With that in mind, luring the Scot to Parkhead would surely prove difficult. He’s built a marvellous project in east London, one that will have those in Glasgow rubbing their hands with glee.
Celtic’s crisis might not be as bad as potential relegation from the top-flight but they are in need of a figure who can grab the players by the scruff of the neck and change the mentality of the whole club.
In the words of The Athletic’s Oliver Kay, West Ham “now look like a quick, young, hungry team rather than a tired, slow, lazy one.”
The final passage there would define Celtic pretty well. Their football has hit a stumbling block and they are lacking a certain cutting edge that’s taken them to the title in nine of the last ten years.
Unlike many managers on the Celtic shortlist, Moyes knows Glasgow. He played for the Bhoys between 1980 and 1983 and the expectations are still the same; beat Rangers.
That’s something they failed to do this season but the 57-year-old coach is capable of reviving their fortunes. The turnaround he’s achieved at West Ham has been miraculous, but it’s no surprise when you consider his qualities.
“David Moyes is a fantastic manager and exceptional man-manager. He’s a really nice guy and his football knowledge is incredible. He’s amazingly hard-working and he knows the game inside-out,” Danny Mills told Football Insider.
“He has a certain style of play,” Mills added before hailing the work-rate he instils in his players.
It’s hard to argue the Hoops players have worked hard enough this season. One of the main criticisms of Lennon’s tenure were his coaching methods. Moyes, on the other hand, knows how to get the best out of players stuck in a rut.
He has an old fashioned style but it would undoubtedly suit the Bhoys. He has to be at the very top of their shopping list when it comes to re-shaping the future of the football club.
AND in other news, Celtic manager search takes fresh twist; it should be good news for Hoops supporters…