Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has confirmed that Harry Kewell is in talks to leave the club and that he’ll be looking to make a fresh coaching appointment if his exit goes through.
Kewell is widely reported to be on the verge of a return to management with Yokohama F.Marinos in Japan, replacing Kevin Muscat.
Marinos have enjoyed a strong Australian coaching connection in recent seasons with Ange Postecoglou initially bringing success before his move to Celtic.
Kewell was brought in by Postecoglou in 2022 and it seems his time in Glasgow is coming to an end with the coach given time off to facilitate the confirmation of his new career in Japan.
Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers on Harry Kewell speculation
Speaking in a media conference on Friday, Rodgers said of the situation [Celtic YouTube]: “We’ll probably know more over the next few days. He’s been in talks to go to Japan so that’s something that will be clarified over the coming days.”
Later, speaking to the print press, Rodgers added [Scottish Daily Mail, 30/12 print edition]: “I think it’s great for him. I think it’s great you’ve coaches who have that chance to go on and develop, improve and achieve an ambition.
“It will be an opportunity if Harry moves on for me to bring in someone else in the New Year.”
Kewell has been a popular member of the coaching staff at Lennoxtown with Daizen Maeda in particular happy to share how he’s helped players develop during his team here.
It’s currently unclear who Rodgers will be looking to appoint in his absence although I’m certain that names such as Kolo Toure and Scott Brown will pop up speculatively given their association with the Bhoys boss.
This will be a chance for the manager to round out his staff after inheriting the majority of those already in place at Lennoxtown when he returned for his second spell in charge.
In other news, Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers delivers verdict on Philippe Clement’s Rangers.
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