Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou has opened up on his plans to create a link between the club’s first team and B side after the departure of long-serving coach Tommy McIntyre.
Alongside the arrival of new first-team assistant Harry Kewell, this has allowed the Bhoys academy coaching staff to undergo a revamp.
From the beginning of the 2022/23 campaign, former Hoops defenders Stephen McManus and Darren O’Dea have been in charge of the Celtic B side on a joint-management basis.
The young Celtic side are participating in a host of competitions this season, including a second consecutive campaign in the Lowland League, SPFL Trust Trophy and the UEFA Youth League.
McManus was previously part of Ange Postecoglou’s first-team coaching set-up during his first 12 months in the Parkhead dugout.
However, the club’s former captain has taken the step down to once again become part of the Bhoys academy coaching set-up.
Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou has revealed his reasoning behind moving McManus down in a level in an attempt to create a link between the first-team and B side.
In a statement released on the club’s website this evening, the 56-year-old opened up on why McManus and O’Dea are good fits for the role, with the duo having knowledge of both how the first team and youth teams work on a daily basis.
The former Socceroos boss also sent his thanks to Tommy McIntyre after his departure from a long-serving role at the club.
He said [Celtic FC]: “As I have said before, I was keen to restructure our coaching set-up, with a hugely important element of this being the development of a close link between the first team and B Team coaching structures as we look to get that conveyer belt of talent going between the B Team directly up to the first team.
“I wanted a really strong connection to the development of our B Team, and Stephen, with his knowledge of our current first-team philosophy and demands, will be ideal in this role.
“Darren, too, already has that great experience of working with our young players and an affinity with the B Team, which I know will be invaluable to us.
“He is also someone with the knowledge of what it takes to be part of the Celtic first-team and the way in which we work at that level.”
The manager continued: “As Celtic supporters, we all want to see as many young players as possible coming through the stages to join our first team.
“So we look forward with confidence to our B Team developing positively, and I know our fans will wish Stephen and Darren well in progressing the team further.
“I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Tommy McIntyre for his great service to Celtic over so many years and for all he has done for us. We all wish Tommy the very best for the future in everything he does.”
Ange Postecoglou beginning to build the foundations for the club’s future.
During a hectic first 12 months at the club, in particular last summer, Ange Postecoglou won’t have really had much time to put focus into different areas of the club.
However, after lifting the Scottish Premiership and planning well ahead of this summer’s transfer window, it appears to have allowed the Celtic manager to put more focus on other areas too.
One of which being the club’s youth system and current B side, who are involved in competitive action in the fifth tier of Scottish Football.
You can certainly see what the 56-year-old is trying to do, moving one of his previous assistants down to the club’s youth side in an attempt to create a closer link and who will know the ins and outs of working with the first team.
Of course, it will take some time before we are able to see the full effects. But hopefully, we can see the club’s best talents rise through the ranks and feature for Postecoglou’s first team.
In other news, Celtic announce long-term partnership with EA Sports.
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