Shaun Maloney has recently become Celtic’s professional player pathway manager.
The 42-year-old, who spent nine years as a Celtic player across two spells, is highly rated by the club.
Brendan Rodgers has hired him in both of his spells at the Hoops, initially giving him the chance to work with the club’s under-20 side.
Maloney went on to work with Roberto Martinez and Thierry Henry with the Belgian national team, including at Euro 2020, before being hired by Hibernian for his first senior management role.
He lasted just 19 matches at Easter Road, but was given another shot at Wigan Athletic, where he was loved as a player. Managing the club through a period of tumultuous finances and points deductions, he left in March after just over two years in charge.
Now back where his coaching journey started, many Celtic fans were sceptical of Maloney’s return – but for one of his former teammates, he has some credentials.
Shaun Maloney would be a good manager says Charlie Mulgrew
With over 100 games of management experience, some believe Maloney is being bedded into the club for a potential shot at managing the Hoops’ first team.
But for Charlie Mulgrew, there is good reason to be excited about Maloney being at the club, regardless of whether he becomes manager.
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Speaking on the Go Radio Football Show, Mulgrew said: “It would be unfair to start saying people or touting people for the job, but I think Shaun Maloney’s a really good coach, and would be a good manager.
“He’s worked at a high level, at the national team with Belgium, worked closely with Roberto Martinez. A right good coach. John Kennedy’s an unbelievable coach.
“But Brendan Rodgers is in the job just now, and it’s up to him to get the team playing, and back to more of a threat in the final third.”
Maloney replaced Darren O’Dea in the development role after the Irishman joined Alan Sheehan’s coaching team at Swansea City.
Are Celtic preparing for life without Brendan Rodgers?
Many are pointing at the relationship between Brendan Rodgers and Celtic’s board, particularly after a chaotic reaction to the club’s transfer window.
Some feel that Rodgers has been let down after his public demands were not met, with club reports suggesting that his comments have angered individuals within the club.
Celtic fans are planning a protest ahead of Sunday’s fixture against Kilmarnock at Rugby Park, and if Rodgers feels the way fans do, he is unlikely to remain at the club beyond the length of his current contract.
So will Celtic be preparing for life without him? Unless talks are ongoing, they would be as well doing so… and Maloney could be in the frame.
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