As everybody knows by now, Neil Lennon is the interim Celtic boss until the end of the season. What everybody doesn’t yet know is who is going to be the Hoops boss next season.
Obviously if Lennon wins a league and cup double there will be a groundswell for him to be given the job on a permanent basis.
But even if he does win the double, there is a man the Celtic boss should approach to take over in the summer. That man is Newcastle boss Rafa Benitez.
Not happy at Newcastle
It is no secret that Benitez isn’t happy at Newcastle. He has constantly been at odds with owner Mike Ashley. This is particularly the case when it comes to transfers.
For that reason alone, he might not want to work in that environment any more. Even more importantly, Benitez’s contract at Newcastle expires at the end of the season, and he has yet to sign a new deal.
No compensation needed to pay
That means that the Hoops would not have to pay compensation to the Premier League side should they approach Benitez.
It would be a huge coup to get a manager of his class to Scotland, far bigger than the appointment of Brendan Rodgers.
Benitez has won the Champions League, and trophies in England and Spain. He would instantly become the best manager in Scotland.
Perhaps the only sticking point, as with Newcastle, would be the transfer budget. But that shouldn’t stop Peter Lawwell at least approaching the former Liverpool and Chelsea boss.
It would be a dream appointment, and Celtic should go about making that dream a reality.
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