Celtic must appoint a manager with European experience

There is a continuous flow of rumours about the managerial role at Celtic. There will be even more now that the league is officially over and lost.

Sometimes, you might think it would be easier to make a list of people who haven’t been mentioned (yet!). The capabilities, skill set and experience of those being suggested as candidates vary enormously.

Some of those proposed haven’t actually managed at all yet, but have experience as coaches in successful management teams. Others have experience in their own home league but not in Europe. Ultimately, there will be strengths and weaknesses to any manager.

But one cannot rule out the size of the task awaiting anyone that arrives at Parkhead. Just like players, managers can be overwhelmed by the size of Celtic as well. Thus, the board must appoint carefully.

More from Celtic FC News

• Celtic handed fresh injury doubt before Feyenoord game
• Celtic’s £40.7 million announcement should scare Rangers
• Brendan Rodgers makes superb claim about returning Celtic player
• BBC pundit makes sensational claim about Celtic hero Kyogo
• Kyogo Furuhashi sends clear message to Celtic doubters

Celtic need a manager with a European perspective

Now, we know Scottish football is different from any other league in the world. And someone even with top level European experience might not come in and adjust immediately. But even then, he should have a much better chance than someone who does not have that experience in the bag.

Where the club have perhaps fallen down in the recent past is taking on the different challenges in European football. They have failed to qualify for the Champions League in three straight seasons. Sure, the priority will be to win back the league and European football will come second to that, but it’s where the ambition of the Hoops should ultimately lie.

The league will always be important and is the route into Europe but bringing broader experience and tactical knowhow to set a team up for a result on an away tie is vital. That could come from someone coaching in another league overseas, or perhaps it’s where the playing experience in those type of matches becomes significant and advantageous over other candidates. So, we could be talking about anyone from Rafa Benitez to Frank Lampard here.

Who is the answer? We don’t know yet. But let’s make sure we are at least asking the right questions.