Club Brugge preparing Nicky Hayen succession plan as Celtic manager search intensifies

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Celtic’s manager search is seemingly taking them throughout the globe.

Kjetil Knutsen in Norway, Wilfried Nancy in the USA and Efrain Juarez in Mexico have all reportedly drawn interest from the Scottish champions as the search for a permanent manager goes on.

Martin O’Neill’s return as interim boss has steadied the ship after Brendan Rodgers’ sudden departure.

The international break is an opportunity for Dermot Desmond to ramp up talks – and according to outlets in Belgium, Nicky Hayen could be on the move.

There is, however, one catch for the 45-year-old boss who has been linked with a potential switch to Celtic from Club Brugge.

Club Brugge preparing to replace Celtic-linked Nicky Hayen

It’s been a remarkable rise for Hayen, who was managing in the Welsh Premier League just three years ago.

His side drew 1-1 at Celtic Park in last season’s Champions League, and more recently hammered Rangers 9-1 in this season’s play-off for the same competition.

READ MORE: Frank McAvennie can’t believe that Celtic haven’t spoken to ex-Premier League boss

Hayen’s name has been linked with the vacancy at Parkhead, and when questioned on the rumours, he refused to rule out a move.

Now, in his homeland, it is being claimed that Brugge are already preparing to lose their highly-rated boss.

According to the Belgian football show Ballieman, this season will be Hayen’s last at Club Brugge.

It is claimed that Hayen’s chances of leaving mid-season are ‘slim’, but he remains too ambitious to remain at the Belgian side.

It is even claimed that Rik De Mil, currently in charge of Charleroi, is ready to replace him. De Mil was linked with the Celtic job in 2023, before the appointment of Rodgers.

At that time, he was in charge of Club NXT, Brugge’s reserve side. De Mil was succeeded by Hayen in that role before the latter became Brugge manager.

Given that Hayen is currently in the knockout round play-off places with Brugge in the Champions League, him leaving that to join a Europa League club seems unlikely.

But given his comments when asked about the Celtic role, it can’t be ruled out just yet.

Desmond will ultimately have to decide between making an appointment during this break or sticking with O’Neill for now.