Dan Petrescu has hinted that a break is on the horizon for him despite his most recent Celtic link.
The Romanian tactician, known in Scotland for embarrassing Neil Lennon’s Hoops in 2019 with Cluj, has just left Turkish outfit Kayserispor. It was a managerial spell that lasted only 45 days before Petrescu resigned from the gig.
In the early hours of the morning, the Daily Mail reported that Petrescu had expressed an interest in the Celtic job. The man himself has claimed in the past that he once rejected the Hoops in 2014 [Scottish Sun].
And it appears that he doesn’t look set to take on another gig in the near future. Touching on why he left Turkey after such a short period, it looks as though Petrescu won’t be accepting anything for the time being.
As quoted by Romanian outlet Pro TV, Petrescu said: “I remained on very good terms with the owner. I have a personal problem and I had to stop my adventure here. I have to go.
“The owner understood. We remained in very, very good relations. The team is in a good place now, not in a relegation place.
“Having a personal problem, I really can’t coach anywhere now.”
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This isn’t a massive blow for Celtic fans. Not all of them are keen on Petrescu becoming Lennon’s successor, but his history of over-achieving in Europe with smaller clubs could be what the Hoops need to go to the next level.
Let’s also not forget he has a history of domestic dominance to his name too. Petrescu has managed seven trophies in three different countries. He’s also a four-time manager of the year in Romania.
And even if a break is next on his agenda, that doesn’t totally rule him out. It’s not as if Celtic will be making an appointment between now and the end of the season. Not with Dominic McKay still months from coming in and John Kennedy still having a fixture list to negotiate in temporary charge.
It looks logical to suggest that Petrescu could look for a return to football ahead of the new season. It all depends the nature of his personal problem. But it’s clear he’s looking for nothing in the short-term, and the same could be said for Celtic at the moment.
Celtic have to take a good look at the candidates available. They have to look at who best suits their new structure and, preferable, can come in with a track record of success to their name. Petrescu, whether you like his demeanour or not, has the latter.
Whether he fits the former remains to be seen. But he’s more or less confirmed he can’t take anything for a certain period of time at the moment.