Shaun Maloney has addressed his Celtic future amid uncertainty over his role at the club next season.
After he was initially brought back to the club to replace Darren O’Dea as Player Pathways Manager, everything changed after a few months.
Martin O’Neill replaced Brendan Rodgers on an interim basis, and Maloney was named as his assistant. He has since served in both roles during and after the tenure of Wilfried Nancy.
We don’t know if O’Neill is a contender for the permanent role, with rumours tipping Maloney to reunite with Roberto Martinez in the Parkhead dugout. He has addressed his future this week.
Agree or disagree?
Shaun Maloney on his Celtic future
Speaking to The Celtic Way at Maloney said: “I gave Michael [Nicholson] and the board my word I would do the job this season and next, and I will stick to that.
“I wanted to take that time away from management. It hasn’t worked out that way with everything that has happened.
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“But I have really enjoyed being back out on the grass with the players and being involved in games again.
“The role that I took, managing the exits and the loans, didn’t involve me being on the pitch. I was going to a lot of games, I was watching the younger players, I was visiting the players who are on loan at a more senior level.
“But at the moment, the plan is just to go back to that role as soon as this season is finished. As I say, I gave my word that I wouldn’t go anywhere else for those two seasons, and I will stick to that.
“I am really enjoying being back at the club. I don’t think the [UEFA] Pro Licence is relatable. I have already done Hibs and Wigan while I have been doing the Pro Licence.
“I will see what it looks like after the next 12 to 14 months. But I gave my word to Michael and the board that I would do it for two years. At the moment, I am okay. I am really enjoying working with Martin.”
Maloney was at UEFA headquarters in Switzerland this week, completing his UEFA Pro Licence at the Student Exchange Programme.
Ange Postecoglou delivered a speech at the event.
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Shaun Maloney’s coaching experience before Celtic
Celtic were the club where Maloney’s coaching journey began, when he linked up with Rodgers to initially work with the club’s reserve side.
He then joined Martinez’s coaching staff at Belgium on a job-sharing basis, before making the move permanently. He had played under the Spaniard at Wigan Athletic.
His first managerial role at Hibernian lasted just six months, after a poor run of form left the Hibees in the bottom six.
He was then named manager of Wigan. He stabilised the Latics over two years despite financial turbulence and points deductions, before being replaced by Ryan Lowe around a year ago.
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