Report: It was Fergal Harkin who recommended Ange Postecoglou to Celtic

By John McGinley

May 29, 2021

It was Fergal Harkin who recommended Ange Postecoglou to Celtic, Sky Sports have reported on Saturday.

The broadcaster say Harkin is expected to become the club’s sporting director this summer and that Celtic are now pursuing the Yokohama Marinos boss based on his recommendation.

Harkin has been Football Partnerships and Pathways Manager at Manchester City for over six years, so his link to Postecoglou is clear.

The Greek-Australian’s club are part of the worldwide City Football Group project, the holding company of the English champions. They own 20% of Yokohama Marinos.

As we discussed earlier, Postecoglou is highly rated within that set-up.

Damian Willoughby, senior vice-president of partnerships at the organisation, told The World Game last month: “Ange is a phenomenal coach and has done an exceptional job at Yokohama.

“When Manchester City played Yokohama in a pre-season game at Nissan Stadium a couple of years ago it was not only a great game for a pre-season friendly but it was hard at times to separate Manchester City from Yokohama in terms of the style of play. He is one of the leading coaches in the world.”

Does Fergal Harkin have a convincing Celtic plan up his sleeve?

No surprise then that Harkin is eager to work with the former Australian national team manager in Glasgow.

It remains to be seen if all this comes off.

After the Eddie Howe saga, we’re not getting too excited or despondent about any reported links. It’s clear by now that absolutely anything can happen at Celtic.

Ange Postecoglou could well be the next Celtic boss / (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

Some fans will worry about the close relationship between Celtic and the City Group if this progresses. Others though might take some comfort that there is at least something of a plan in place.

Can the club convince supporters there’s a long-term vision worth buying into? That’s a whole other story.

In other news, what Pep Guardiola, City and Tom Rogic have said about Celtic candidate Ange Postecoglou.