Celtic coach John Kennedy was a man at the centre of the hurricane between Ange Postecoglou’s exit and Brendan Rodgers’ arrival as manager.
Initial reports suggested that the Australian wanted Kennedy and fellow coach Gavin Strachan to join him on a multi-year deal at Tottenham Hotspur. It was even said that the former defender fancied the switch.
However, Rodgers was keen to work with him again and ultimately the long-serving Celtic stalwart agreed to be a key part of the new era at Lennoxtown and Celtic Park.
Kennedy sounds more than happy to be working with the former Liverpool and Leicester City man again. He’ll also know better than anyone about the differences in management style between Postecoglou and Rodgers.
Asked about that very subject in an interview with Celtic TV today, the Bhoys coach said: “Ange is someone who also has very high standards and was terrific at what he did. It was a very successful period.
“Brendan is a different character altogether. He likes to be involved in terms of being around people. A bit more socially as well. That’s his style, that’s how he gets into people’s minds and gets the best out of them.
“Ange was a different character in terms of how he drew the best out of other people. They’ve got two different styles, both very successful at what they do.
“For the players it’s a change, there’s a new character in the building, someone they have to prove themselves to again. Hopefully, that will be a real stimulus for them to really kick on in pre-season and go into the season with a real hunger and desire to be successful.”
Both methods have served Celtic very well and there are even a few leaders in the squad who have experienced the two styles. That continuity will help the rest of the squad adjust.
It was crucial to retain as much of the coaching staff as possible to push the Bhoys on from last year’s successes. This isn’t the time for a rebuild. It’s time for these players to reach their true potential at home and abroad. The decisions Celtic have made since Postecoglou’s exit will help them do that.
In other news, Goalposts move on assumed Celtic to Benfica sell-on; Bhoys still make strong Jota profit.
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