Celtic are reportedly closing in on an agreement for Shaun Maloney and Mark Fotheringham to continue as assistants to Martin O’Neill.
It’s now been over a week since news emerged that O’Neill’s staff had been offered substantial pay cuts by the club, leaving their respective dugout futures in doubt.
The news was met with widespread negative reactions from the Parkhead support, given the immense contribution made by the pair last season.
It appears that we can all now breathe a sigh of relief, with an agreement close between the parties.
Never in doubt… 😅 How relieved are we!?
Celtic discussions with Shaun Maloney and Mark Fotheringham ‘progress positively’
According to the Scottish Sun, talks have progressed positively between Celtic and the duo with an agreement now expected.
They had previously rejected pay cuts.
READ MORE: Celtic ‘yet to offer’ new deal to Kelechi Iheanacho despite player decision
It means that O’Neill’s backroom team are set to stay together, ensuring some continuity in a summer where plenty of change is expected in the playing squad.
Initially in the role of Player Pathways Manager, Maloney moved into the dugout following O’Neill’s sudden arrival, recruiting Fotheringham personally.
Along with the boss himself, both Maloney and Fotheringham’s names were heard from the stands as the support rallied behind two academy graduates living the dream as coaches.
O’Neill reportedly fought hard for his staff to stay. It’s very Celtic to have the manager fighting battles upstairs within days of being appointed.
A key difference between the two coaches was that Maloney is already contracted with the club for next season; his deal as Pathways Manager doesn’t expire until next summer.
Proficient in German, Fotheringham has already worked as an assistant for several clubs in the Bundesliga, as well as England.
👀 A reasonable figure?
Aiden McGeady on Shaun Maloney’s role at Celtic
Speaking on the Go Radio Football Show, before the end of the season, Aiden McGeady was asked if Maloney could be the next Celtic manager, replying: “If I’m being totally honest, I can’t see it.
“Because, I think… Shaun took over after Wigan. He took over as Player Pathways Manager. Very very quickly, [he] took over as interim assistant to Martin O’Neill.
“I think, if a new manager comes in, in my opinion, Shaun will either stay on the coaching staff, or I think Shaun will possibly be the new director of football.
“Or, head of football operations. Celtic don’t do directors of football, so head of football operations.
“Because the things that I know inside Celtic [are] that everyone’s very happy with how Shaun’s been doing and how he’s been handling things.
“Because Shaun’s got a lot of different roles there at the minute, he’s not just assistant to Martin O’Neill. I think, effectively, Shaun kind of put the coaching staff together alongside Martin.
“And he’s been in charge of the recruitment, as well, in January. As we said, there’s no head of football operations in there anymore, with Paul Tisdale being gone. Nancy was, I think, Tisdale’s appointment as well.”
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