On the back of Ange Postecoglou’s departure, the chase for a new manager at Celtic appears to be in full swing. Reports concerning the search for a new boss include a shortlist featuring the likes of Brendan Rodgers, Jesse Marsch, Kjetil Knutsen and several more. However, it is important for the club to take their time and get the appointment right.
There have been rumours that Manchester City would not stand in the way of Enzo Maresca, if the coach eyed a potential move to Celtic. The Italian is very highly rated and has been linked with the Parkhead job for some time now.
He serves as Pep Guardiola’s right hand man at Manchester City. And he has emerged as one of the favourites to replace Postecoglou at Celtic Park next season.
Of course, the Maresca rumours have left a lot of fans underwhelmed. But it looks like the Hoops are seriously considering the Italian coach as their next manager.
Pundit gives inside information on Celtic’s manager search
Alan Brazil appeared to have some ‘inside information’ regarding Celtic’s chase for a new manager. As reported by The Scottish Sun, he said while speaking on the talkSPORT breakfast show:
"“I have a wee bit of inside information here. I’ll have to be careful what I say.“I had a look at the betting. I don’t want to put people into putting a fiver on him and putting it on the wrong way.“But do you know who will have a big say on who will get the Celtic job? This is going to astonish you, by the way, is Pep Guardiola. He is going to have a massive say.“Do you know why? Him and Dermot Desmond are very close.”"
He further went on to add:
"“It’s Enzo Maresca, I’ve got it, on good authority.“I do know that Brendan Rodgers is odds-on favourite but it is interesting, Pep’s associations with Dermot.“Dermot is a very clever guy.”"
Maresca previously managed Manchester City’s Under-23s before a brief stint in charge of Parma in the Italian second division, which proved to be a big failure for him.
He has been described as an elite-level coach in the past though. Highly regarded within the City Football Group, Maresca already shares a connection with Glasgow, having won the 2007 UEFA Cup final with Sevilla at Hampden Park.
Many supporters would see Maresca’s potential appointment as reminiscent of Postecoglou’s, given the Australian manager’s past connections with the City Group. The Hoops management maintains a close working relationship with them, partly due to Peter Lawwell’s son, Mark, who was a key member of their recruitment team for over a decade and may provide insights into the Italian’s profile.