Peter Lawwell moved to personally back Jesse Marsch for the SFA’s pro-license course back in 2017, according to the Scottish Sun.
The Sun reports that Marsch had some complications when doing his coaching badges in Scotland. And as he tried to get into UEFA’s vital pro-license course, it appeared to be a sticky road for him to go down.
However, the Sun believes that Lawwell, who’s an executive committee member of the European Club Commission, used his influence to personally open up the path for Marsch.
Since then, he’s gone on to become a double-winner with RB Salzburg and looks set to replicate that feat again this season.
Marsch yesterday talked up the possibilities of becoming Celtic manager. He claimed it would be an honour and that he would be interested in the role if he was being considered [BBC]. Lawwell, meanwhile, is departing Celtic in the summer with new chief Dominic McKay replacing him.
How much power does Peter Lawwell have in any potential Jesse Marsch appointment?
So it’s clear that Lawwell was a fan of Marsch during his early days as a coach. The current Hoops chief must have seen something in him to suggest he deserved the shot at the pro-license course.
However, what isn’t clear to Celtic supporters is just how big a role Lawwell has in the current managerial search. Yes he’ll be hands on to an extent given he’s the current chief executive. But it doesn’t sit right if he is potentially the one who’s making the decision for the next man to come in.
It would be ideal for supporters if the club provided some clarity on this. If they could perhaps let us know just how the managerial recruitment search is going to go. Whilst Dermot Desmond will have the final say as always, it’s difficult to judge whether Lawwell or McKay have the majority of the influence in the current search.
If it was down to Lawwell, then this is a great boost. Knowing that he was a fan of Marsch back in 2017 suggests he would be more than keen on him as a potential Celtic manager these days. Especially now that he has title-success to add to his CV.
Marsch was also assistant to experienced German tactician Ralf Rangnick. In addition to that, he’s been working with a sporting director throughout his two years at Salzburg in Christoph Freund. Celtic’s new director of football and manager system wouldn’t be a shock to him or even a change of environment.
But we’ll see just how much Celtic fancy the idea of Marsch in the coming weeks.
In other news, a Bundesliga expert has provided an alternative theory for Marsch’s comments.
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