When a certain Colin Kazim-Richards popped up in the dugout, it probably would have been a surprise to many.
The former Celtic striker travelled the world during his playing career, playing for 18 different clubs, including two of the Turkish giants, Fenerbahce and Galatasaray, as well as trips to Brazil and Mexico.
But in March, it was announced that Kazim-Richards was named Crawley Town boss until the end of the campaign.
The English club, who are sitting in the fourth tier, were struggling and fighting relegation, but the man who failed to make his mark in Glasgow has certainly hit the mark in his first managerial job.
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This can't be right, surely??
Colin Kazim-Richards starts life in the dugout with a bang
Yes, it didn’t work out for Kazim-Richards at Celtic, but it doesn’t mean that he hasn’t been a big character during his two-plus decades as a professional.
But the 39-year-old, who had been working as a coach in Arsenal’s academy, put himself in a sticky situation by joining a Crawley side threatening to fall outside of the Football League.
The English-born Turkey international did enough to keep Crawley up, with a goalless draw against Salford City on the last day of the season, and now he will be hoping to earn that permanent contract.
- Games: 7
- Wins: 2
- Draws: 3
- Losses: 2
- Goals scored: 8
- Goals conceded: 8
- Points per game: 1.29
Those Celtic fans interested in how former players do post-retirement, then it seems as though you could be hearing more of Kazim-Richards next season.
That’s because there has been ‘progression’ between the former Sheffield United man and Crawley owner Raphael Khalil about being at the club next season.
“I don’t want to jump the gun, but there has been progression,” said Kazim-Richards, as quoted by The Argus.
“We will have talks for sure. There are exciting times ahead. I want a team able to dominate in all aspects.”
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