Celtic-linked Enzo Maresca is on course for a record-shattering season with Manchester City’s elite development squad, after an astounding 7-1 win at home to Southampton Under-23 side today.
The comprehensive result moved the Light Blues five points clear at the summit of Premier League 2, whilst totalling 60 goals scored in the division, something that hasn’t been achieved since 2013. His team are on track to score 80 times in a 24-fixture campaign which will undoubtedly appeal to the Hoops support.
Celtic have been heavily rumoured with the prospect of the Italian taking the managerial reigns at Parkhead in recent weeks, alongside the possibility of Manchester City’s football partnerships manager Fergal Harkin coming in as a sporting director, in what would be a major reshuffle at the Scottish Cup holders.
Arguably, should Maresca’s talented youngsters see through their dominance at the top of the Premier League 2 and become champions, the former Sevilla man would be in the perfect mould to take over from John Kennedy, as the Hoops look to reclaim the Scottish Premiership title at the first attempt. Exposure to winning is crucial for a club like Celtic, he would be under no illusion regarding the immediate task at hand next season.
Prospectively, the 41-year-old could bring a raft of exciting City youth prospects to Glasgow, should he be approached for the head coach vacancy. In 2021/22, Celtic will need to generate a model of successfully granting young players first-team opportunities in order to move forward as a football club.
The former West Ham assistant does not just have an encyclopaedic knowledge of the Manchester City youth set up, he also has a first-hand understanding of some of the best academy sides in England which could be a great market for Celtic to outsource premium talent moving forward should he get the job.