Celtic don’t want a manager to ‘challenge’ them as Andy Walker says model won’t bring European success

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Celtic’s appointment of Brendan Rodgers was a conflicting one two years ago

On one hand, the club was bringing back a manager who had let them down in 2019, jumping ship to Leicester in the middle of the season.

On the other hand, this was an elite coach with the pedigree to take the Hoops to a higher level in Europe than where they had been under Ange Postecoglou.

Last season, we saw evidence of that. Signings such as Arne Engels and Auston Trusty helped the side to lose just two of their eight League Phase games in the Champions League, and stay neck-and-neck with Bayern Munich for 180 minutes.

But this season, an almighty drop-off led to Rodgers’ shock resignation and the Hoops’ ongoing managerial search.

Andy Walker on Brendan Rodgers and Celtic’s model

Rodgers spoke of his desire for Celtic to show more priority towards the club’s football model in the last week of the transfer window.

His Honda Civic comments from a few weeks later will forever be associated with his acrimonious departure.

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For Andy Walker, this means that the Hoops are unlikely to go down the ‘manager’ route on this occasion, and more the ‘head coach’ approach, in order to dodge a manager who will challenge them.

He told the Go Radio Football Show that Rodgers’ European ambitions won’t be seen again in the near future.

“He wanted to take Celtic to a place in Europe, where they hadn’t been for a number of years. And whatever you think about Brendan Rodgers, he did that.

“And I don’t think they want a manager now. I don’t think Celtic want anyone challenging them at boardroom level.

“It’s a head coach with a wonderful CV. Someone like Knutsen, someone like McKenna… I mean, what he’s done at Ipswich has been absolutely extraordinary. He’s improved players.

“But will Celtic be able to get through to the Champions League, through to the knockout phase any time soon? Right now, I don’t think so.

“I think Celtic go back to their model, and their model is very successful. ‘Here’s the players, go and work with them, and give us your best.”

Are Celtic targeting a ‘head coach’ to replace Brendan Rodgers?

Martin O’Neill is very much a manager rather than a coach – but for as long as he’s in interim charge, he won’t be having a say in the club’s medium or long term strategy.

Does Walker’s claim hold up among the favourites? McKenna, who has been widely linked, is currently the manager of Ipswich, despite more and more head coaches popping up in England.

Knutsen is the manager of Bodo/Glimt too, so Walker’s examples aren’t great. Robbie Keane is head coach of Ferencvaros however, whilst Wilfried Nancy is head coach at Columbus Crew.

Both Rodgers and Ange Postecoglou held the titles of ‘Football Manager’ at Celtic Park, so it will be fascinating to see if the Hoops change this with their next appointment.