The Celtic managerial search has taken its fair share of twists and turns although it has never really looked like the club are close to making an appointment. But this international break does provide them with the chance to do so. And considering the growing noise about the position in the media over the past few days, one has to wonder if that is signalling towards the same.
Let's see what the future holds for Celtic. There do seem to be a few clear frontrunners for the job though.
Most Celtic fans would like to see someone like Kjetil Knutsen being brought in. He has a proven rate of success in both Norway and at the European level. And he has also shown that he has the ability to produce results even while working under a budget, which he will have to do at Parkhead as well, whether we like it or not.
But Knutsen might be looking to see out Bodo/Glimt's Champions League campaign, which might prove to be an obstacle in the eyes of some. Celtic might potentially be hoping to get the situation sorted earlier than that.
'The front-runner is' - Celtic's next manager could be appointed soon
As reported by CeltsAreHere, David Friel said while speaking on the situation at Clyde 1 Superscoreboard:
"Knutsen has built Bodo/Glimt from nothing, and I’d be amazed if he walked away before seeing that through. That would take you into late January, and I don’t think Celtic can wait that long. I could be wrong, but I just don’t see it being him.
“It’s pointing more towards others. The one who’s now seen as the front-runner is Wilfried Nancy, the Columbus Crew head coach. He’s a bit of a left-field candidate, but there are definite links with people at Celtic. Paul Tisdale used to work with Nancy’s assistant, Kwame Ampadu, at Exeter City.
“From the very start, Nancy’s name was mentioned and people were asking, ‘Where’s that come from?’ But he’s won the MLS Cup and the Leagues Cup with Columbus Crew, and he’s got a really strong reputation. I think it would be a major gamble, but if Celtic are going to go down the route of a foreign coach, it looks more likely to be Wilfried Nancy."
Knutsen's current deal runs out at the end of the year and there have been suggestions that he is ready for a new challenge, having been at Bodo/Glimt since 2018. That being said, it would be understandable if he wants to see out their Champions League campaign. While they are unlikely to get past the first round, the chance to manage against Juventus, Borussia Dortmund, Manchester City, and Atletico Madrid will be an attractive proposition regardless.
The timing might be a problem for Celtic. Many would argue that Martin O'Neill and Shaun Maloney are doing a pretty good job. Why not wait a couple more months until Knutsen is available?
If you ask us, there is a lot of sense in waiting as well. You do not want to miss out on the right manager, because you wanted somebody a month or two earlier.
The bigger problem for Celtic might be the fact that the transfer window would be pretty much over by the time Bodo/Glimt's Champions League campaign comes to an end. That is being viewed as a major opportunity for the Hoops to rebuild their squad. Can they afford to miss it by waiting for Knutsen?
Of course, we cannot overlook Nancy in all this. He has done a brilliant job in the MLS. But that is not the same as dealing with the pressure of delivering success for a club like Celtic, where you are expected to win pretty much every match.